University of Florida · PharmacologyBortolato Aggression Lab
Marco Bortolato · Gainesville, Florida
Research Focus
Dr. Marco Bortolato's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding the complex relationship between alcohol misuse and aggressive behavior. By using animal models, particularly mice with specific genetic traits, the lab investigates how early-life stressors and genetic vulnerabilities can lead to increased aggression and alcohol use. The ultimate goal is to uncover mechanisms that could inform better prevention and treatment strategies for these interrelated issues.
alcohol misusepathological aggressionanimal modelsgenetic interactionsearly-life stress
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the neurodevelopmental mechanisms linking alcohol misuse and aggression.
AIM 02Test the effects of alcohol on aggressive behavior in animal models.
AIM 03Study the impact of social reactivity and anger on drinking propensity.
Skills the Lab Values
mouse modelsbehavioral testingneuroanatomy techniqueselectrophysiologygenetic analysis
Output against the department
Publications223top 37% of dept.169th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.4ktop 48% of dept.224th of 462
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.