Jason Bubier, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
We are interested in physiological addiction genetics and genomics to identify new drug targets for treating addiction/overdose.
My work has three main research projects with a long-term goal of identifying new drug targets for treating addiction/overdose. The first project is to dissect the role of the microbiome as a non-genetic regulator of phenotypic variation observed in the Diversity Outbred Mice. The second project is a response to the opioid epidemic, where we identify loci associated with opioid-induced respiratory depression through QTL mapping. We have identified loci, a locus-specific to the respiratory depressing effects of morphine, and two independent loci that are responsible for the survival time of mice in response to a lethal dose of both morphine and fentanyl. In addition to QTL mapping, I am using transcriptome profiling of respiratory control regions of the brainstem of Collaborative Cross strains to correlate transcript abundance with basal respiratory traits and opioid-specific phenotypes of the Collaborative Cross mice. The third project is focused on utilizing integrative functional genomics to identify addiction-related genes and pathways. This work is situated as the interface between in silico and in vivo studies, whereby data are mined and integrated, then tested using animal models. One approach that we have pioneered is to perform cross-species analysis by using GeneWeaver, a database and a suite of tools that utilize graph-based algorithms to identify convergent evidence from diverse datasets across numerous species to elucidate and validate genes' roles in disease.
Grants, honors and accomplishments
2008 - Society for Investigative Dermatology Travel Award
2008 - Baltic States Summer School Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses Fellowship
2007 - Arthritis Foundation Travel Grant
2006-2009 - Arthritis Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship
2004-2006 - Selection based on teaching skills, leadership and academic performance. NIH R32 Training Grant
2002-2003 - Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship.
2002 - American Society of Plant Biology Travel Grant
2002 - Plant Physiology Travel Grant
2000-2001 - Charles O'Hare Fellowship. Selection based upon department nomination Cold Spring Harbor Course Scholarship 2001
2001-2002 - Marquette University Research Fellowship. 2001-2002 Selection based on quality of a written research proposal.
1996-1997 - Peter Mills Internship Fellowship. Selection based upon nomination from Natural Science Department
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ArticleJuly 29, 2024JAX researchers present addiction research and offer hope at Maine Governor’s Opioid Summit
JAX researchers share their findings with communities in Maine affected by addiction, creating a direct connection between scientific research and the people it impacts most. -
Featured ArticleNovember 07, 2023The state of biomedicine presented at the Biomedical Innovation and Technology Conference
The current state of biomedicine and its potential for the future in Maine and beyond as presented in the inaugural Biomedical Innovation and Technology (BIT) Conference. -
Research HighlightJune 20, 2023Studying a better overdose reversal agent
Jason Bubier investigates the biological bases of drug addiction and risk for opioid overdose and is researching the molecular mechanisms underlying individual variability to fentanyl toxicity. -
Research HighlightAugust 03, 2020Unlocking age-dependent coronavirus susceptibility
Genetically varied mouse populations revealing genetic elements contributing to SARS-CoV-2 infection risk.
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Press ReleaseJune 25, 2024Potential therapeutic role of sodium valerate in reducing binge drinking revealed
Researchers from JAX and UConn Health uncover gut-brain connection that may mediate alcohol consumption in mouse model. -
Press ReleaseOctober 25, 2023International Mammalian Genome Society recognizes JAX Scientists
Scientists from JAX are being recognized for their outstanding achievements by the IMGS, a group that fosters research in mammalian genetics, and represents its members in their professional activities. -
Press ReleaseApril 13, 2022Three JAX Employees appointed to statewide roles
Three JAX employees, LuAnn Ballesteros, Jason Bubier, and Catherine "Katy" Longley, have all been sworn into Maine State Board positions. They were nominated by Maine Governor Janet T. Mills. -
Search MagazineApril 14, 2020Preventing overdose deaths
Making better rescue treatments by finding the genetic variations that raise the risk of deadly opioid overdose.