Neural signals that control energy and reproduction in fruit flies
Official title: Neural Substrates Controlling Metabolic and Reproductive State
Funded at University of Nevada Las Vegas · NIH-11543394 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the brain in fruit flies decides when to use energy and when to pause reproduction, with potential relevance to human metabolic and reproductive health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Las Vegas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Vegas, United States) |
| Project start | July 14, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $26,099 |
| NIH project number | 3R16GM150433-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11543394 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with metabolic or reproductive health concerns who are interested in the basic science of how the brain regulates these processes.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without metabolic or reproductive health issues may not directly benefit from this basic fly research.
What this research studies
This project uses fruit flies to map brain circuits that govern metabolic and reproductive states, aiming to understand how the nervous system helps organisms adapt to changing environments. By leveraging genetic tools and high-resolution observations in Drosophila, scientists hope to reveal nervous system rules that may be conserved in humans. The work focuses on neural circuits, temperature effects, and neuropeptides that influence energy use and reproductive timing. The findings could illuminate why certain metabolic disorders in people are linked to brain and hormonal regulation. The long-term goal is to establish foundational knowledge that could guide future studies in more complex organisms, including humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights into brain–body signaling could inform new approaches to managing metabolic and reproductive disorders in people.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms has shown conserved neural mechanisms for resource management, supporting the potential relevance to human health.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meiselman, Matthew Ramiah — University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Study coordinator: Meiselman, Matthew Ramiah
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.