Investigating how gut mechanics affect metabolism and aging using fruit flies.
Official title: Metabolomic interrogation of gut mechanosensing in Drosophila
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11081000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way our gut reacts to the movement of food can affect our metabolism and aging, using fruit flies to help us understand how this might relate to brain diseases, so we can learn more about keeping our gut healthy and improving overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $203,438 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG086903-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who may be experiencing metabolic issues or neurodegenerative conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to gut health or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the gut's response to mechanical forces, such as those created by food movement, influences metabolism and aging-related conditions. Using fruit flies as a model, the study examines the role of specific cellular mechanisms in gut health and how they may relate to neurodegenerative diseases. By analyzing gut metabolites and their changes in response to mechanical stress, the research aims to uncover new insights into gut function and its broader implications for health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases linked to gut health.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using Drosophila for gut mechanosensing is relatively novel, there is growing interest in mechanobiology, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiang, Yang — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Xiang, Yang
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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.