Patrick McGowan

Teaching Interests

• BIOC14H: Genes, Environment and Behavior
• BIOD19H: Epigenetics in Health and Disease

Research Interests

I am interested in the interaction between the genome and the environment. Effects that influence the way genes work without changing their DNA sequence are called "epigenetic" effects. I study epigenetic changes in brain systems that are important for behaviour and the response to stress.

Keywords:

• molecular neuroscience
• epigenetics
• stress
• behaviour
• neuroplasticity
• genomics
• gene-environment interactions

Research Area: Neuroscience, Epigenetics

Current Research

In my lab, we use molecular neuroscience and systems biology approaches to study physiology and behaviour (phenotype). Our specific focus is on the role of parental factors early in life in altering the function of genes involved in the response to stress. We study a variety or organisms, from animals in the lab, to wild populations and humans.