My research focus is to use forward genetic approaches in mice to identify genes that influence behavior. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Gallo Center, I performed a mouse ENU mutagenesis screen to identify genes that interact with the dopamine signaling pathway using a sensitized genetic background. We assayed locomotor behavior to identify mutant pedigrees. From this screen, we mapped several loci that influence locomotor behavior in a quantitative manner. Some of these loci appear to interact specifically with the dopamine pathway, whereas other loci act independent of this pathway. We have positionally-cloned the underlying mutation for one of these pedigrees, and interestingly, in addition to being mildly hyperactive, these mutant mice have altered sensitivity to ethanol. In C.elegans, this same gene regulates sensitivity to ethanol. I am interested in understanding the role that this gene plays in ethanol-related behaviors and addiction.