# Postdoctoral Program in Functional Neurogenomics

> **NIH NIH T32** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $278,601

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The genetic inheritance of specific risk alleles is widely accepted as a major contributing factor to many, if not
all, mental illnesses. Moreover, recent studies found that the precise epigenetic regulation of gene expression
is critical for normal learning and memory processes and is often disrupted in the diseased brain. However,
despite recent concerted efforts of numerous neuroscientists and physicians, the links between precise
molecular and synaptic defects resulting from (epi)genetic variation and specific brain circuit abnormalities that
result in particular behavioral disorders remain rather poorly understood. Given the ongoing avalanche of new
genetic/genomic data associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, there is a rapidly expanding need to train the
next generation of neuroscientists to be facile in both modern molecular genetic approaches in different model
systems, as well as in cutting edge molecular bioinformatics techniques that are required to link individual
genes to normal brain functions and disease processes. The over-arching goal of this multi-disciplinary
postdoctoral Training Program in Functional Neurogenomics is to support a training pipeline that fosters
the development of new investigators with these skills. This competing renewal application will demonstrate an
advancement and evolution in both the available training mentors and in cutting edge inter-disciplinary
technical capabilities that builds on the substantial prior successes of this long-running program. Our efforts
are supported by significant ongoing investments by Vanderbilt in new neuroscience leadership, faculty,
educational programs, technological expertise and core facilities. Taken together, this provides a robust and
rigorous environment for trainees to gain expertise in opportunities afforded by genetic model systems, the
translation of human genetic findings into construct-valid animal models, in vivo manipulations of molecules,
cells and circuits using advanced approaches, and in capturing the epigenetic, physiological, and behavioral
consequences of such manipulations. The Program Director is Roger J. Colbran, Ph.D., Professor and Interim
Chair of the Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics. Dr. Colbran has a long-standing, well-funded
program investigating molecular mechanisms involved in synaptic plasticity using multi-disciplinary approaches
from biochemical structure-function to mouse genetics and behavior. The Co-Director, J. David Sweatt, Ph.D.,
was recently recruited to Vanderbilt as the Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and has previously
served on both the NIMH Advisory Council and the NIMH intramural program Board of Scientific Councilors.
Dr. Sweatt has made numerous highly-cited contributions to understanding mechanisms underlying learning
and memory in previous positions at Baylor College of Medicine and UAB, with a particular recent focus on the
role of epigenetics in cognition and neural plasticity. ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163259
- **Project number:** 5T32MH065215-18
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ROGER J COLBRAN
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $278,601
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-07-15 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163259

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163259, Postdoctoral Program in Functional Neurogenomics (5T32MH065215-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163259. Licensed CC0.

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