Career Enhancement for Epigenetic Research on Substance Abuse and Comorbidities

描述（由申请人提供）：药物滥用和共病表观遗传学研究的职业提升本申请呼吁表观遗传学议程的进一步进展，这需要从多学科方法（科学领域的专家带来学科见解）转变为跨学科方法（基于学科的科学家分享彼此的语言，理论，数据收集方法和分析技术的基本理解）。拟议的活动将促进更大的协同作用，并对物质使用障碍（SUDs）及其与严重精神疾病的共病的表观遗传学的概念化和研究进行复杂的方法。两个具体目标是：1)通过增加生物医学研究（BMR）理论、工具、数据收集方法和分析技术的知识，参与一个短期、高强度的培训计划，以更好地整合基础行为和社会科学研究（b-BSSR）在一个跨学科团队中的中心地位和存在，该团队专注于sud的发病及其与SMIs的共病。这包括1.a.)通过为期12个月的一系列面对面和电子课程，提高对基本和行为遗传学，生理学和神经科学的理解；和1。b)提高对研究伦理的认识，针对与suds及其与SMIs的共病有关的遗传学和表观遗传学研究中出现的独特问题；2)开发并开展一项研究项目，将b-BSSR理论和分析方法引入到一个已建立的研究项目中，该研究项目的重点是对最重要的BMR数据项目之一——酒精中毒遗传学合作研究（COGA， N= 10,646先证，家庭和对照）进行遗传和表观遗传分析。更具体地说，2.a.)重新定义和实证研究sud的当前表观遗传模型，包括多用途和共病问题，作为疾病的b-BSSR理论相互作用（或通过）的不同途径，候选基因和基因簇。在最初富有成效的多学科合作的基础上，该申请由Bernice a . Pescosolido（社会学杰出教授）担任PI/候选人，John Nurnberger, Jr. （Joyce and river Small精神病学教授和医学与分子遗传学教授）担任导师，要求一年的保护时间，旨在实现研究重点的转移。这将部分通过额外的培训来完成，这将丰富当前的研究计划，旨在通过提高b-BSSR科学家整合其他相关科学领域的工具和方法的能力，改善sud和共病问题的跨学科合作。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Career Enhancement for Epigenetic Research on Substance Abuse and Comorbidities This application addresses the call for further progress on the epigenetic agenda which requires a shift from a multidisciplinary approach (experts in scientific fields bringing disciplinary insights) to an interdisciplinary approach (disciplinary-based scientists sharing a basic understanding of each other's language, theories, methods of data collection and analytic techniques). The proposed activities will foster greater synergy and bring a complex approach to the conceptualization and conduct of research on the epigenetics of substance use disorders (SUDs) and their comorbidity with serious mental illness (SMIs). Two specific aims are designed to: 1) Engage in a short-term, intense training plan to better integrate the centrality and presence of basic behavioral and social science research (b-BSSR) on an interdisciplinary team focused on the onset of SUDs and their comorbidity with SMIs by increasing knowledge of biomedical research (BMR) theories, tools, methods of data collection, and analytic techniques. This includes 1.a.) Improve understanding of basic and behavioral genetics, physiology, and neuroscience through a series of face-to-face and electronic courses over a 12 month period; and 1.b) Improve knowledge of research ethics targeted to the unique issues that arise in research on genetics and epigenetics relevant to SUDSs and their comorbidity with SMIs; 2) Develop and carry out a research project that brings b-BSSR theories and analytic approaches into an established research program focusing on genetic and epigenetic analyses of one of the premier BMR data programs, the Collaborative Study of the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA, N= 10,646 probands, families and controls). More specifically, 2.a.) Reconceptualize and empirically examine current epigenetic models of SUDs, including polyuse and comorbidity problems as representing differential pathways by which b-BSSR theories of illness interact with (or work through) each other, candidate genes and gene clusters. Building on the base of an initial productive, multidisciplinary collaboration, this application, with Bernice A. Pescosolido (Distinguished Professor of Sociology) as PI/Candidate and John Nurnberger, Jr. (Joyce and Iver Small Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics) as Mentor, requests one year of protected time designed to achieve a shift in the focus of research. This will be accomplished in part through additional training that will enrich a current research program designed to improve interdisciplinary collaborations on issues of SUDs and comorbidity by enhancing the ability of b-BSSR scientists to integrate tools and approaches from other related science areas. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The complex causes of substance abuse disorders, including the use of multiple substances (polyuse) and co- occurrence with mental health problems (comorbidity) require scientists from both the biomedical and social sciences to pool their expertise to understand and offer solutions. Building on an initial, productive collaboration between a sociologist and a medical/molecular geneticist, this project provides opportunities for targeted training and research to facilitate a research agenda focused on how the social environment triggers, suppresses or otherwise is involved in genetic predispositions to substance abuse and comorbidity.