SRI International Establishes New Program in Molecular Genetics; Genomic Technologies Identify Susceptibility to Nicotine Addiction.MENLO PARK Menlo Park. 1 Residential city (1990 pop. 28,040), San Mateo co., W Calif.; inc. 1874. Electronic equipment and aerospace products are manufactured in the city. Menlo College and a Stanford Univ. research institute are there. 2 Uninc. , Calif. -- SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, today announced that researchers in its new Molecular Genetics molecular genetics n. The branch of genetics that deals with hereditary transmission and variation on the molecular level. Program are characterizing gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that may provide clues for predisposition to tobacco dependence, response to treatment for nicotine addiction, and susceptibility for certain cancers. Genetic study designs for the program include twin-based, family-centered and case-control approaches. In related news, SRI today announced a new grant from the NIH "Not invented here." See digispeak. NIH - The United States National Institutes of Health. to study the pharmacogenetics Pharmacogenetics Definition Pharmacogenetics is the study of how the actions of and reactions to drugs vary with the patient's genes. Description of nicotine addiction and treatment. An estimated 47 million people currently smoke in the U.S., and an estimated one billion people smoke worldwide. To increase effectiveness of smoking cessation smoking cessation Public health Temporary or permanent halting of habitual cigarette smoking; withdrawal therapies–eg, hypnosis, psychotherapy, group counseling, exposing smokers to Pts with terminal lung CA and nicotine chewing gum are often ineffective. treatments, SRI researchers are exploring molecular mechanisms associated with variations in nicotine use, accumulation of tobacco toxins in the body, the role of brain "reward" circuits (pathways that relate pleasurable experiences), and ethnic and gender-mediated differences. Another goal is to contribute to pharmacogenetic knowledge databases used by the research community. Pharmacogenetics is the study of genetic influence on drug therapies. "Exploring ethnic differences in nicotine metabolism genes in Caucasians, African-Americans and Chinese-Americans can help to assess elevated risk of certain cancers," said Huijun Ring, Ph.D., director of SRI's Molecular Genetics Program. "By investigating the genetic basis of nicotine dependence, we hope to speed up the search for effective treatments to help people stop smoking," added Gary Swan, Ph.D., director of SRI's Center for Health Sciences. These activities are part of SRI's Center for Research on Nicotine Addiction, a collaboration involving experts from behavioral science, molecular genetics, medicinal chemistry, neuroscience and pharmacology. Current Center projects represent the health interests of federal, state, and corporate sponsors, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a United States federal-government research institute whose mission is to "lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. , National Institute of General Medical Sciences The U.S. National Institute of General Medical Sciences is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the principal biomedical research agency of the Federal Government. , National Cancer Institute and the University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). Tobacco Related Disease Research Program. About SRI's Center for Health Sciences Serving government and commercial clients in the health arena, SRI's Center for Health Sciences (http://www.sri.com/policy/healthsci/) uses a multidisciplinary research approach to address complex challenges that arise at the interface of the basic sciences, clinical medicine, health care economics, and the regulatory and legal environments. About SRI International Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research institute Stanford Research Institute - Former name of SRI International. in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies. |
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