How flies use rapid turns to find food by sensing their environment
Official title: The Functional Role and Neural Basis of Rapid Turns in Olfactory Search Behavior
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-10877451 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how flies change their flying patterns when they're looking for food, especially how they make quick turns to gather information about their surroundings, like wind direction and speed, to better understand the brain processes behind these actions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,204,096 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS136988-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877451 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in the neurological and behavioral aspects of sensory processing and decision-making.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to sensory processing or behavioral neuroscience may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how flies change their flight patterns when searching for food, particularly focusing on their rapid turns. It explores the idea that these turns are not random but rather deliberate actions that help flies gather important information about their surroundings, such as wind direction and speed. By using advanced experimental techniques and genetic methods, the researchers aim to understand the neural mechanisms behind these behaviors. The study leverages the natural behavior of flies in controlled environments to gain insights into fundamental neuroscience questions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of sensory processing and decision-making in animals, potentially leading to advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding animal behavior through similar experimental approaches, making this study a promising continuation of that work.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickinson, Michael H — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Dickinson, Michael H
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.