Pharmacology, Behavior & Genetics Research Group

GENETICS<br />We are interested in the discovery of genetic variants and gene expression that may explain individual differences in cognitive, emotional, physiological and biochemical processes. Also, we are working on the development of genetic markers that allow the follow up and prediction of pathological and normal processes, as well as responses to pharmacological treatments in psychiatry. To achieve this, we conduct experiments using humans and animal models.<br /><br />PHARMACOLOGY<br />We are focused on the study of pharmacological compounds for the development of new treatments for drug addiction and other neuropsychiatric disorders. For this purpose, <br />(a) we work with either drugs being tested in clinical trials (at least, Phase I) or already approved and marketed; <br />(b) and using animal models with the highest predictive validity in humans to increase the probability of success from basic to translational research.<br /><br />BEHAVIOR<br />We study how behavior is regulated by organism"s genetics, how some stimuli trigger behaviors, and how pharmacological compounds can alter or establish healthy and adaptive behaviors. We use a broad integrative concept of behavior that comprises cognitive, physiological, emotional and motor components. We perform studies using humans and animal models.

SPECIFIC CURRENT RESEARCH LINES<br /><br />1. EPIGENETICS (animal and human studies)<br />1.1. Histone deacetylases (HDAC) gene expression as a biomarker for addiction: dissecting which type of blood cell is a reliable source as a peripheral biomarker<br />1.2. Interconnection between microbiota, the gut-brain axis, the immune system and HDACs<br />1.3. Heredity influenced by the environment: epigenetic inheritance<br /><br />2.- ENERGY DRINKS AND ALCOHOL INTERACTIONS (animal and human studies)<br />2.1. Phenotypic, whole-transcriptome and epigenetic changes after chronic consumption of Energy Drink and alcohol<br />2.2. Energy Drink and the pharmacological treatments approved for alcoholism<br />2.3. Multigenerational and transgenerational inheritance of Energy Drink and alcohol<br />2.4. Translational studies from animals to humans<br /><br />3.- SCHOLAR ADDICTION PREVENTION PROGRAMS (only human studies)<br />3.1. Assessment of addiction prevention programs in scholar students of Madrid (8-16 years old / around 5.000 scholars by year)<br />3.2. Development of new strategies for improving addiction prevention programs<br />3.3. Internationalization of addiction prevention programs: risk and protective factors <br />3.4. Preventing the misuse/abuse of new technologies

As soon as possible: <br />- Full CV (10 pags max.)<br />- Letter of Motivation (1 page)<br />- Research proposal (2 pages max.)<br />- Two recommendation letters<br />- (suitable) Three papers related to the Research Group"s interests