How sensory cues affect behavior in tiny worms
Official title: Neural Mechanisms that Underlie Flexible Sensory Control of Behavioral States in C. elegans
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11040994 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tiny roundworms called C. elegans react to their surroundings and change their behavior, like being active or resting, especially when they're hungry, to help us understand how their senses and brains work together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $380,494 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020484-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040994 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in the basic biological mechanisms of behavior and those who may benefit from advancements in neuroscience.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to behavioral mechanisms or those not interested in basic biological research may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the sensory experiences of C. elegans, a small roundworm, influence their behavioral states such as being active or inactive. By examining the neural mechanisms involved, the study aims to understand how these worms switch between different behaviors in response to changing environmental cues. The researchers will manipulate specific neurons and observe how these changes affect the worms' responses, particularly under conditions like starvation. This approach allows for a detailed exploration of the connections between sensory input and behavioral output.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of behavior that may be applicable to understanding similar processes in more complex organisms, including humans.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using C. elegans to understand neural mechanisms, making this approach both established and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flavell, Steven Willem — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Flavell, Steven Willem
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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.