Lay summary
Our immune systems defend against disease. However, over-activity or mis-targeting of the system can be devastatingly harmful – as exemplified in autoimmunity, neurodegeneration and atherosclerosis. There is a protein found in immune cells, Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2), which suppresses immune functions when activated. Consequences of CB2 activation include enhanced production of anti-inflammatory chemicals and reduced immune cell proliferation and migration to sites of inflammation. During this project, CB2 will be further developed as an immune system therapeutic target by: 1) utilising innovative techniques to probe the subcellular detail of CB2-induced signals and develop novel drugs with desirable properties, and 2) study the mechanisms and consequences of CB2 activation in primary human immune cells. This research will pave the way for new therapeutics with wide potential utility.