Molecular and cellular drivers of temperature-seeking behavior in fruit fly larvae
Official title: Molecular and cellular determinants of Drosophila larva thermotaxis
Funded at Brandeis University · NIH-11332818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how fruit fly larvae sense and move to preferred temperatures, helping us understand basic brain wiring for temperature control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $559,512 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM130842-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332818 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing clinical study; basic science using fruit fly models.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct patient intervention in this basic science project.
What this research studies
Researchers at Brandeis University will map how internal body signals and environmental temperature cues come together in the larval brain to steer thermotaxis. Using Drosophila larvae, they will identify cells and circuits that process temperature information and drive behavioral choices. The project aims to reveal the cellular mechanisms that allow an organism to maintain temperature homeostasis through behavior. Insights from this work could illuminate how similar processes work in higher animals, including humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of temperature regulation in the brain could inform research on how sensory integration goes awry in disorders affecting body temperature control and behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in model organisms have shown that specific neurons govern thermotaxis and temperature homeostasis, suggesting a viable path for discovery in this project.
Where this research is happening
-
Brandeis University
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garrity, Paul — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Garrity, Paul
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.