Epigenetic control of aggression study in fruit flies
Official title: EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF AGGRESSION IN DROSOPHILA
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11368257 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how epigenetic changes influence aggressive behavior in fruit flies to uncover basic biology that could inform human aggression understanding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $507,595 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH139696-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368257 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; basic research in a model organism.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation or immediate clinical benefit from this stage of research.
What this research studies
This project uses Drosophila melanogaster to explore how epigenetic factors regulate aggression. It focuses on the Hira/H3.3 pathway, a histone-related mechanism, to see how gene regulation affects aggressive actions. The study will employ a mutant screen and new reagents to dissect how this axis influences the nervous system and behavior. Findings could reveal conserved biology relevant to aggression across species, including humans. The work is designed to illuminate fundamental biology with potential long-term implications for understanding aggression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of the biological roots of aggression could guide future interventions or therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows fly models can reveal conserved mechanisms of aggression, suggesting this approach may yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dierick, Herman a — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Dierick, Herman a
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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.