The overall mission of the UTMB Center for Addiction Research
(CAR) is to promote, stimulate and support discovery and translational
research in the etiology and pathophysiology of addictive
processes to design targeted ways to prevent, diagnose and treat
this disorder. The CAR brings to bear cutting edge technologies
in molecular biology, biochemistry, behavior, pharmacology, genetics,
proteomics, and drug design to discover novel approaches
to diagnose, cure or alleviate addiction and its medical complications.
The objectives are:
1. Create a seamless administrative structure to
empower CAR functions and catalyze the development of translational
projects that cut across basic and clinical science boundaries
to create new therapeutically useful knowledge.
2. Maintain and enhance our existing intellectually
dynamic, productive and interactive environment, in which investigators
across scientific disciplines can discuss ideas and data, and
approach transdisciplinary questions from unique perspectives.
3. Recruit new faculty in complementary scientific
pursuits and continue to develop and enhance the capabilities
of current facilities to include state-of-the-art facilities and
technologies for the study of brain proteins.
4. Support the Core for Behavioral Neuroscience
to provide animal models necessary to investigate the adaptations
that occur with chronic drug-seeking behavior and the behavioral
ramifications of addiction (e.g., cognition, learning and memory,
anxiety, depression).
5. Fund pilot research projects to advance knowledge
and encourage new faculty participation in translational addiction
research.
6. Emphasize cross-disciplinary dialogue and interdisciplinary
training in addiction research for students, postdoctoral fellows,
residents and junior faculty.
7. Catalyze the across institutional collaborations
necessary to respond to new initiatives in addiction research
and education;
8. Disseminate science-based knowledge on addiction
to academic and professional communities and collaborate with
community providers and the UTMB Office of Community Outreach
to encourage provider and patient involvement in clinical research
and prevention efforts.
9. Function as an advisory resource, promoting the
utilization of science in the formulation of policies and the
development of consortiums and programs at all levels - national,
state and local.
The CAR was formed in January, 2004, and is comprised
of ~60 faculty and healthcare staff from all four schools of the
institution. The goal is to establish the CAR as a 'beacon' or
coordinating force for translational research in addiction based
on a strategy of developing and nurturing opportunities for interdisciplinary
investigations and training of new investigators in translational
approaches. The CAR is currently housed within space in the Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology and is awaiting completion of a
new research building which will provide research, teaching and
office space.
