Genetic and Neural Drivers of Sleep in Zebrafish
Official title: Genetic and Neuronal Mechanisms that Regulate Zebrafish Sleep
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11628917 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genes and brain signals control sleep using zebrafish to understand why sleep disorders happen and how to treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $110,030 |
| NIH project number | 3R35NS122172-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11628917 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with sleep disorders or researchers seeking therapies that target sleep mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
People without sleep-related issues may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses zebrafish to map the genetic and neuronal systems that control sleep, focusing on homeostasis, circadian rhythms, and responses to light. The team will apply genetic, optogenetic, and chemogenetic techniques along with high-throughput behavioral tests to see how sleep is regulated. It aims to connect basic brain mechanisms to sleep behavior, with potential implications for human sleep disorders. The work builds on prior findings about serotonin, melatonin, and masking to explore deeper regulatory pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of sleep regulation could lead to new approaches for treating sleep disorders in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that zebrafish can model sleep regulation and respond to genetic and chemical perturbations, supporting this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prober, David Aaron — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Prober, David Aaron
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.