Investigating how signaling molecules influence the development of the Drosophila salivary gland

How Signaling Molecules Affect the Invagination and Posterior Migration of the Drosophila Salivary Gland

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11071181

This study is looking at how certain signals help shape the salivary glands in fruit flies, which can teach us about similar issues in humans, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how organs develop and what goes wrong in congenital diseases.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11071181 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the role of signaling molecules in the development of the Drosophila salivary gland, a model organism that helps us understand human congenital diseases. By using advanced genetic manipulation techniques, the study aims to uncover essential signaling pathways involved in organ formation and positioning. The researchers will observe cellular processes such as invagination and migration in the salivary gland, utilizing fluorescent staining to visualize these events. The ultimate goal is to identify how specific transcription factors and signaling molecules coordinate these critical developmental processes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are individuals with congenital diseases related to organ development.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to organ development or those not affected by congenital diseases may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into the mechanisms of organ development, potentially leading to advancements in understanding congenital diseases in humans.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using Drosophila as a model to uncover fundamental biological processes, indicating that this approach has a strong foundation.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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 2026-06-10 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.