Neuromodulators shaping male and hermaphrodite behavior in a tiny worm
Official title: Neuromodulation of sex-specific behaviors
Funded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute · NIH-11444401 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project will study how brain chemicals control sex-specific behaviors in a worm model to better understand human sex differences in brain diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Worcester Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $554,599 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM167018-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444401 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a clinical study; findings may inform future human research on sex differences in neurological conditions.
✕Less likely to help
This project uses worms and basic science methods, so it does not directly test a therapy in patients.
What this research studies
Researchers will use the tiny worm C. elegans to test how neuropeptides and serotonin alter neural circuits differently in males and hermaphrodites. They will identify which NLP-3 peptides and serotonin receptors drive sex-specific avoidance of a social cue, and map the neurons and receptors involved. The work aims to reveal fundamental rules about how shared neural circuits produce distinct behaviors in different sexes, which could illuminate human conditions like Alzheimer’s, autism, and depression. The study combines genetic tools, behavioral assays, and receptor analysis to causally link neuromodulators to sex-specific responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of why brain diseases may affect men and women differently could guide more personalized approaches to treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in C. elegans has shown sex-specific neuromodulation is feasible to study and can reveal general principles relevant to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Srinivasan, Jagan — Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Srinivasan, Jagan
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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.