Diet-Driven Muscle Stem Cell Activation in Fruit-Fly Models
Official title: Diet promotes muscle stem cell activation and proliferation in Drsosophila
Funded at San Jose State University · NIH-11383573 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A basic science project aims to understand how diet affects muscle stem cells in a model system and what this could mean for muscle repair and aging in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Jose State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Jose, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $183,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM159703-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11383573 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with age-related muscle weakness or muscle disease conditions where muscle regeneration is a concern, as well as those interested in how diet affects muscle biology.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without aging-related muscle issues or muscle diseases may see limited direct benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project investigates how what we eat can influence muscle stem cells’ ability to wake up and multiply, which is important for muscle growth and healing as we age or when muscle is diseased. Researchers will study the PI3K/Akt/Tor signaling pathway and how diet signals in the body’s fat tissue and muscle environment affect muscle stem cell behavior. The study uses biological models to uncover mechanisms that could inform future strategies to support muscle health in patients with aging-related muscle loss or muscular dystrophy. By mapping these interactions, the work could point toward dietary or metabolic approaches to boost muscle regeneration in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide dietary strategies or metabolic targets to support muscle regeneration in aging and muscle disease patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior human studies have linked diet to muscle repair, but the exact mechanisms remain to be clarified, making this approach exploratory but grounded in an observed connection.
Where this research is happening
-
San Jose State University
San Jose, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vishal, Kumar — San Jose State University
- Study coordinator: Vishal, Kumar
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.