Physiology Seminar March 26! Dr. Megan Mulligan – “Genetic Background Matters: Leveraging Rodent Genetic Diversity to Understand Health and Disease”

The Department of Physiology is Pleased to Announce

Megan Mulligan, PhD

Associate Professor
Genetics, Genomics and Informatics
UTHSC College of Medicine

Will present her seminar titled "Genetic Background Matters: Leveraging Rodent Genetic Diversity to Understand Health and Disease" this Thursday, MARCH 26th from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM in the Cancer Research Building Auditorium, Room 114. Refreshments will be provided.

Summary:

Genetic background is an important consideration in preclinical research that is often overlooked. This talk will include examples of how leveraging natural genetic diversity in rodent populations allows us to identify functional gene variants that shape behavior, disease vulnerability, and respond to drugs of abuse. Specific examples include identification of mutations in the alpha2 subunit of the GABA-A receptor and a member of the WAVE Regulatory Complex - Cytoplasmic FMR1 Interacting Protein 2 - that distinguish C57BL/6 substrains purchased from different vendors and that contribute to behavior, addiction-related traits, and stroke vulnerability. An overview of current research using rodent genetic models to identify variation in cannabinoid receptor signaling pathways, opioid intake, and age-associated cognitive decline will also be presented.

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