Genetic and Environmental Influences on Addiction

Understanding how genetic and environmental factors impact drug use and abuse may be critical for addiction prevention and diagnosis, as well as the development of novel effective addiction therapeutics. The objective of this renewal application plans to provide 4 predoctoral training slots (for 1-2 yrs each, starting in the 2nd yr) in the Weill Cornell Graduate School (WCGS) Neuroscience and Pharmacology Programs with the rationale of understanding the impact of genes and environment on drug addiction. A unique feature of this training plan is the faculty expertise in both genetic (e.g. sex, single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene splice variants and epigenetics) and environmental (e.g., HIV positivity, material environment, developmental age) factors that are essential for the emergence of addictive disease. Our faculty is also noteworthy for the breadth of the approaches they bring to addiction science; we have expertise in studying how several major abused drugs (i.e. alcohol, opiates, cocaine, and other psychostimulants) impact neuronal function from the expression and behavior of single molecules to the performance of complex functional systems that regulate the behavior of rodents and humans. In addition to our talented faculty, this training grant will take advantage of the WCGS outstanding research environment, educational resources, and recruiting activities, particularly our history of attracting and training basic and clinical scientists. Particular strengths of the training grant include: 1) the experience of the Director and Co-Director in mentoring, teaching and drug abuse research; 2) the broad scope of multidisciplinary research training provided by the faculty; 3) extensive collaborations and co-mentoring between the faculty; 4) the strong emphasis on “bench-to- bedside” translational research. Training grant faculty will be divided into three groups: 1) Major Sponsors: thesis mentors with NIDA mission supported research programs; 2) Minor Sponsors: individuals with NIDA-mission interests who will collaborate with Major Sponsors and their trainees; 3) Training Sponsors: individuals with extensive experience in drug abuse research who will work closely with Major Sponsors and their trainees. Beyond the laboratory, key activities of the training plan include: 1) courses designed specifically for this T32 (“Addiction and Society” and “Challenges in Pain Management”); 2) drug abuse focused retreat; 3) WCGS developed programs in fellowship preparation; and 4) training experiences in teaching, mentoring, networking and career opportunities. These activities together with the existing coursework and curricula, symposia and lectures, as well as each students individual training plan, will provide a solid foundation for promoting the development of successful transitions of 12-15 PhD students over a period of 5 years into careers in the biomedical workforce.