Award
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 5P50AA022537-12
Project 2: Molecular mechanisms of acute ethanol behaviors in C. elegans
Recipient
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
Award Amount
$195,493.00
Ceiling
$195,493.00
Awarded
July 01, 2026
Identifier
5P50AA022537-12
Research project funded by NIAAA to study genetic and environmental factors affecting alcohol response in C. elegans, focusing on membrane biophysics and neuronal development pathways.
Description
This project aims to test hypotheses related to genetic and environmental influences on the level of response to alcohol, using the nematode C. elegans as a model organism. It focuses on the role of dietary omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in alcohol responses and the influence of genes involved in axon pathfinding or cell positioning on alcohol response. The study hypothesizes that EPA modulates membrane properties influencing alcohol sensitivity and that genes associated with neuronal development also affect alcohol responses during exposure.