University at Buffalo · PsychologyMeyer Addiction Lab
Paul J Meyer · Buffalo, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Paul J Meyer's lab examines how genetic factors affect drug use behaviors, particularly focusing on cocaine addiction. The lab conducts research using animal models to study the transition from casual to problematic drug use. By integrating genetic data with behavioral studies, they aim to identify specific genes linked to cocaine motivation and develop targeted treatments for substance use disorders.
cocaine addictiongenetic predispositionbehavioral neurosciencecue-reactivitysubstance use disordergenome-wide association studiesCRISPRanimal modelsgenomic validationpolygenic scores
Research Aims
3AIM 01Identify genetic variants associated with cocaine motivation in animal models.
AIM 02Investigate the functional roles of candidate genes in cocaine cue-reactivity.
AIM 03Use polygenic scores to assess genetic vulnerability to addiction behaviors.
Skills the Lab Values
GWAS analysisCRISPR gene editinganimal handlingbehavioral assessmentdata integrationbioinformaticsneuroscience techniquesself-administration paradigmsphenotypingtranscriptional manipulation