NIDA is pleased to announce this Short Course on the Genetics and Epigenetics of Addiction to train a new generation of addiction researchers in the area of genetics and epigenetics. This is an introductory course on approaches for finding genes that confer vulnerability to addiction and explore individual differences in responses to treatments. The course is targeted at program staff and investigators who are new to the field of addiction genetics.

The course is to be held March 31–April 4, 2008, in Bethesda, MD, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. The course is designated for graduate students, post-docs, and principal investigators who are seeking a new direction in their research program to employ genetics and epigenetic methodologies to the problems of addiction. The application deadline was January 31, 2008. Final decisions regarding acceptance will be made by February 15, 2008. Space is limited to 50 students and 40 observers.

The course will be held over 5 days with five lectures and demonstrations given each day. Participants will be expected to gain familiarity with conceptual and practical approaches to complex disorders, relevant genetic databases, appropriate statistical approaches, the current status of identification of gene variants for addictions and treatment responses, and the current status of definitions as well as application of epigenetics to studies of the addictions. It is hoped that the course will encourage investigators to embark on research programs in addiction research that will use genetic approaches.