Behavioral Phenotyping Core supports addiction research in mice
Official title: Behavioral Phenotyping Core
Funded at Jackson Laboratory · NIH-11389624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large NIH grant funds a core that helps researchers study how natural behavioral traits relate to drug self-administration in genetically diverse mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bar Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $698,642 |
| NIH project number | 5P50DA039841-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389624 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are researchers and labs studying addiction genetics in model organisms with access to genetically diverse mouse populations and behavioral testing facilities.
✕Less likely to help
This core does not directly recruit or treat patients; benefits are through data and insights that may inform future human studies.
What this research studies
This grant supports a dedicated Behavioral Phenotyping Core at the Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction, using diverse mouse populations to map how traits like impulsivity and novelty seeking influence drug-taking behavior. The core provides standardized, rigorous behavioral testing pipelines and collaboration with project leads to identify extreme responder strains and novel genes involved in addiction. It emphasizes reproducible methods, large-scale analyses, and integration with genetic resources to advance understanding of addiction biology. Researchers and institutions can access these core services to conduct high-quality behavioral phenotyping that links behavior to genetic mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this core could accelerate discoveries about why some individuals are more vulnerable to addiction and point to new targets for prevention and treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work within CSNA and similar cores has generated meaningful genetic and behavioral insights that advance the understanding of addiction mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Jackson Laboratory
Bar Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gagnon, Leona — Jackson Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Gagnon, Leona
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.