Challenges (and some solutions) in Integrating Genetics into Prevention Research

Prevention researchers have been encouraged to integrate genetics into their etiological and intervention studies. Our research group took up that challenge in 2005, submitted proposals starting in 2007, and were eventually funded in 2009.  The present symposium reflects the collaboration between interdisciplinary research teams from the Social Development Research Group (University of Washington) and from the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (University of Minnesota) currently working on a project focusing on Gene-Environment Interplay in the Development of Drug Abuse, HIV Sexual Risk Behavior and Comorbid Problems. While this work has been exciting and interesting, new challenges have been presented, some of which are characteristic of transdisciplinary research in general, and some of which are unique to the integration of genetics into prevention research.  This poster summarizes the top ten challenges we have encountered (both in transdisciplinary research and in G-E research), some solutions we have adopted, summarizes our project findings to date and projects planned development in the next phase of the study.  The poster is designed specifically to assist other prevention researchers planning to design similar transdisciplinary studies, and to spark discussion among those already engaged in this effort.