Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · BiochemistryCannabis and Pain Research Unit
Kent E Vrana · University Park, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Kent E. Vrana's lab is focused on understanding how cannabis extracts may help relieve chronic pain. By using advanced AI techniques, the lab aims to map out the interactions of various cannabis compounds with biological targets to uncover their therapeutic potential. The research combines computer modeling with laboratory experiments, seeking to validate the effectiveness of these natural products in pain management.
CannabisAIPain ReliefNatural ProductsDrug Targeting
Research Aims
3AIM 01Map cannabis constituents to target proteins using AI.
AIM 02Evaluate binding affinities of metabolites using a neural network.
AIM 03Validate cannabis mechanisms in pain using preclinical models.
Skills the Lab Values
AI-driven analysisPharmacological testingAnimal modelsMolecular dockingText miningCell culture
Output against the department
Publications288top 23% of dept.94th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations11ktop 44% of dept.178th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.