Genetic and Molecular Causes of Speciation in Drosophila
Official title: The Genomic Basis and Molecular Mechanisms of Speciation
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-11369134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how new species form by looking at the genetic tools that stop different fly populations from interbreeding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $375,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM147454-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients; basic research in fruit flies.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefit expected from this basic science project.
What this research studies
This project aims to map the molecular and genetic changes that create barriers to reproduction between species in the Drosophila virilis group. The team will combine multiple methods to uncover what cellular processes are altered when species diverge. By focusing on pre-zygotic and post-zygotic barriers, the work seeks to reveal early steps in speciation that are hard to catch in other systems. The findings could illuminate how genetic differences translate into reproductive isolation and contribute to our understanding of evolution.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer picture of how new species arise could inform biology education and future research into evolution and genetic incompatibilities.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown that speciation involves complex genetic and cellular changes, though this project aims to dissect pre-zygotic barriers in a unique Drosophila subgroup.
Where this research is happening
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Syracuse University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmed-Braimah, Yasir — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Ahmed-Braimah, Yasir
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.