Investigating how signaling molecules influence the development of the Drosophila salivary gland
Official title: How Signaling Molecules Affect the Invagination and Posterior Migration of the Drosophila Salivary Gland
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11071181 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $54,774 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DE033571-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071181 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are individuals with congenital diseases related to organ development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to organ development or those not affected by congenital diseases may not receive any benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shoemaker, Ashleigh Marie — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Shoemaker, Ashleigh Marie
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.