Investigating neurotransmitter receptors in brain circuits using fruit flies
Official title: Screening using split fluorescent protein tags for neurotransmitter receptors that define a synaptic balance in neuralcircuits
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-10805112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain receptors help keep our brain's signals balanced, using fruit flies to see where these receptors are located, which could help us understand how problems with them might affect brain development and function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $404,340 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS128750-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10805112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological conditions that may involve neurotransmitter receptor dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurological disorders or those not affected by neurotransmitter imbalances may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how neurotransmitter receptors contribute to the balance of excitation and inhibition in neural circuits. By using fruit flies, researchers will develop a method to tag these receptors with fluorescent proteins, allowing them to visualize and study their distribution in the brain. This approach aims to uncover how disruptions in these receptors can affect brain development and function. The study will utilize advanced imaging techniques to analyze the localization of neurotransmitter receptors in relation to dendritic branches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into brain disorders related to neurotransmitter imbalances, potentially informing future treatments.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using split fluorescent proteins in Drosophila is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in other studies investigating neurotransmitter systems.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kamiyama, Daichi — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Kamiyama, Daichi
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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.