Laboratory of Molecular Genetics
Drugs of abuse exert their influence on the brain, in part, by controlling gene expression. My laboratory is currently exploring methods to detect expression patterns of large numbers of genes simultaneously as a way to identify those that are regulated by these drugs. Identifying these genes may indicate new neuronal and biochemical pathways that underlie drug abuse behaviors, and suggest new therapeutic approaches to drug abuse in humans.
I am also interested in applying quantitative genetic methods to complex traits, including drug abuse and aging. The eventual goal of using these methods, such as Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping, is to identify regions of chromosomes, and then identify the specific genes, that alter the traits. We hope to be able to combine quantitative genetic methods with gene expression methods to determine which genes drive the trait.
The laboratory is a part of several groups on campus:
- Center for Developmental and Health Genetics
- Department of Biobehavioral Health
- Both of the above are in the College of Health and Human Development
- Life Sciences Consortium
- Genetics Program (Graduate Level)