How temperature affects how fruit flies sense odors

Mechanisms of temperature dependent odor coding in Drosophila melanogaster

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11163931

This study is looking at how temperature affects how fruit flies smell things, which could help us understand how our brains process different scents.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11163931 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how temperature influences the way fruit flies, specifically Drosophila melanogaster, process odor information. By examining the interactions between temperature and olfactory signals in the brain, the study aims to uncover the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms involved in sensory processing. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques such as extracellular recordings and intracellular patch-clamp recordings to analyze how temperature alters the behavior of neurons responsible for smell. This work could provide insights into the fundamental principles of sensory integration and processing in the brain.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals with cognitive impairments or sensory processing disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have cognitive or sensory processing issues may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of sensory processing, potentially leading to new strategies for addressing cognitive impairments related to sensory dysfunction.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, similar studies have shown success in understanding sensory processing in other model organisms.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.