Exploring how the brain's rhythms work in fruit flies
Official title: Uncovering the Origin and Mechanisms of Ultradian Rhythms in the Drosophila Brain
Funded at Brandeis University · NIH-10812450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain natural rhythms in the brain, which happen more than once a day, work in fruit flies, and it could help us understand more about brain function and the role of support cells in our brains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | March 20, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $203,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS132299-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10812450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with mental health disorders that may be influenced by circadian and ultradian rhythms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute or severe psychiatric conditions that do not relate to rhythmic disruptions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind ultradian rhythms, which are biological cycles shorter than a day, in the brains of fruit flies. By analyzing gene expression patterns at different intervals, the study aims to uncover how these rhythms are generated and maintained at a molecular level. The researchers utilize advanced techniques like RNA sequencing to profile the fly brains every two hours over three days, identifying various RNAs that exhibit rhythmic patterns. This work could provide insights into brain physiology and the role of glial cells in these processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of mental health disorders linked to rhythmic disruptions in brain function.
How similar studies have gone: While the study of circadian rhythms is well-established, the exploration of ultradian rhythms in the brain is relatively novel, suggesting this research could pave the way for new discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
Brandeis University
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kadener, Sebastian — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Kadener, Sebastian
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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.