Sensory guidance of how diet affects healthy aging
Official title: Sensory Network Integration as a Driver of Dietary Effects on Healthy Aging
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11448086 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how the way we experience food and our senses influence aging, using fruit-fly models to mirror human dietary choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $687,424 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG095099-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448086 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals interested in how daily eating experiences affect aging and metabolic health, particularly those who want to understand real-world dietary choices.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking direct, immediate medical treatments with no relation to diet or aging studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how eating experiences and sensory cues shape aging by examining nutrient-sensing pathways in Drosophila melanogaster. By creating dietary environments where macronutrients are offered separately, the study aims to map how sensory processing and environmental context alter physiological aging processes. The work will connect sensory integration networks to longevity and health outcomes, providing a framework that goes beyond calories alone. The findings could guide strategies to improve healthy aging in settings that reflect real-world eating experiences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform how meals and sensory cues influence aging and longevity, potentially guiding healthier dietary practices in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms supports the idea that sensory inputs can modulate aging, though translating to humans remains complex and ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lyu, Yang — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Lyu, Yang
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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.