Amy Lasek

Associate Investigator, Gallo Center
Phone: (510) 985-3842
Email: alasek@gallo.ucsf.edu

Research

I am interested in the molecular and genetic factors that contribute to alcohol and cocaine addiction. We use the mouse to study the behavioral consequences of manipulating expression of specific genes in the brain and further characterize the function of these genes using molecular and biochemical approaches. The current focus of the laboratory is to understand the biological basis of sex differences in behavioral responses to cocaine. The sex hormone estrogen enhances behaviors related to cocaine addiction and binds to estrogen receptors, which act in the nucleus of cells to regulate gene expression. We are examining transcriptional changes caused by estrogen in the brain with the expectation that this research will further our understanding of how estrogen functions in females to promote behaviors related to cocaine addiction.

Publications

Amy Lasek's publications