Event Description

Genetic diversity and unique life experiences coalesce to influence disease risk, including addiction vulnerability, in humans. Of these various determinants of susceptibility to problematic substance use, genetic variation looms large. Yet, animal studies on this topic often only involve subject populations with limited or no such diversity. We have studied mouse populations with high genetic diversity to search both for novel genomic regulators of addiction-relevant behaviors (impulsivity and drug self-administration) and to identify better mouse models that are intentionally selected because of their extreme addiction-related phenotypes. In this talk, I will highlight how genome- and transcriptome-scale association studies can lead to the identification of completely new molecular mechanisms affecting impulsivity and drug reinforcement. I will also highlight how diverse mouse populations can be used to build a multi-level biological account of addiction risk, linking molecular, neural circuit and behavioral mechanisms.

About the CNLM Colloquium Series

The CNLM Colloquium Series showcases the latest in learning and memory research. Each talk will be held in person at the Herklotz Conference Facility in the CNLM and broadcast widely via Zoom to reach our colleagues around the world. Zoom link will be emailed the morning of the event.

Find out more about the series by visiting:
cnlm.uci.edu/colloquium

For questions or meeting requests, please contact our event host Associate Project Scientist Dr. Valeria Lallai.

*The Dale Melbourne Herklotz Conference Center is located at the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (building 506 on the campus map). This event will be broadcast widely via Zoom to reach our colleagues around the world.