Prof. Dr. Mario van der Stelt

Signaling lipids, such as the endocannabinoids, play a key role in the brain. They regulate synaptic transmission and influence crucial neurophysiological processes, including memory, pain perception, neuroinflammation, stress, and anxiety.

Unlike classical neurotransmitters, endocannabinoids are synthesized only when needed and are rapidly broken down by specific enzymes. This ensures precise control over their signaling effects and duration. Chemical Neuroscience approaches have proven to be powerful strategies for studying the physiological roles of these lipid mediators in the brain.

In this presentation, I will discuss our research program, which uses chemical probes and chemical proteomics to investigate the endocannabinoid system in the brain. These tools allow us to visualize and analyze endocannabinoid signaling pathways, offering new insights into their roles in health and disease and uncovering potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention.