How environmental toxins affect gene regulation in fruit flies
Official title: Epigenetic regulation of chromatin by the Keap1-Nrf2 xenobiotic response signaling in Drosophila
Funded at University of Minnesota Duluth · NIH-11037352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific pathway in fruit flies helps control gene activity when they are exposed to harmful substances, which could give us clues about how toxins affect our health and contribute to diseases like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota Duluth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duluth, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $99,958 |
| NIH project number | 3R15GM128143-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals concerned about the effects of environmental toxins on health, particularly those with a family history of cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by environmental toxins or do not have a predisposition to diseases related to oxidative stress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway in fruit flies (Drosophila) regulates gene expression in response to environmental toxins. By using advanced fluorescence microscopy, the study aims to explore the molecular mechanisms that link oxidative stress and chromatin remodeling to cancer and other diseases. The research will involve various imaging assays to visualize the interactions between proteins and chromatin, providing insights into how these processes affect development and health. The findings could help understand the impact of toxins on human health by studying these biological processes in a model organism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of how environmental toxins contribute to cancer and other diseases, potentially informing prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using model organisms like Drosophila to study gene regulation and the effects of environmental factors on health, indicating that this approach is well-established.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deng, Huai — University of Minnesota Duluth
- Study coordinator: Deng, Huai
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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This study looks at how a specific pathway in fruit flies helps control the way genes are organized in response to harmful toxins, which could give us important clues about how these toxins affect our health and may relate to cancer.
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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.