The University of Texas at Austin
 

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Home » Directory » Details

Directory  

 back

Faculty
Adron Harris
M. June and J. Virgil Waggoner Chair In Molecular Biology
Director, Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research

Email: harris@austin.utexas.edu
Website
Main Office: MBB 1.124
Phone: 232-2514

Alternate Office: ARC 2.124
Alt. Phone: 471-2106

Mailing Address
The University of Texas at Austin - ICMB
1 University Station A4800
2500 Speedway, MBB 1.124
Austin ,TX 78712-1095
Adron Harris

Research Summary

This laboratory is investigating molecular mechanisms responsible for alcoholism and drug dependence. We are defining actions of alcohol and other drugs on brain cells as well as the long-term changes in gene expression responsible for tolerance and dependence. The ion channels controlling neuronal excitability are of particular importance in our studies. Another aspect is the neurochemical basis for genetic differences in drug response. These experiments use genetically modified mice that vary in susceptibility to drug intoxication and dependence. A student working in this laboratory would carry out some of the following studies: (a) effects of drugs on ion channels; (b) site-directed mutagenesis of ion channels; (c) functional and structural studies of brain neurotransmitter receptors; (d) gene expression profiles of humans and mice using cDNA microarrays.