Understanding how different animal brains control behavior and interact with their environment
Official title: Quantifying organism-environment interactions in a new model system for neuroscience
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11036699 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the acoel worm, a small marine creature, interacts with its surroundings and how its special brain affects its behavior, helping us learn more about how different brains work and how they influence actions in various animals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $383,521 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA061984-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036699 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals interested in the biological mechanisms of behavior and brain function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to neurological function or behavior may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the acoel worm, Hofstenia miamia, interacts with its environment and how its unique brain structure influences behavior. By studying this marine invertebrate, researchers aim to uncover general principles of brain function and behavior that differ from traditional model organisms like flies and mice. The project will utilize quantitative methods to analyze the worm's complex behaviors and the resulting changes in its aquatic habitat, providing insights into brain regeneration and distributed computation. This approach could lead to a better understanding of behavioral mechanisms across diverse species.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of brain function and behavior, potentially informing treatments for neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on model organisms have been successful, this research approach using Hofstenia miamia is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Srivastava, Mansi — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Srivastava, Mansi
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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.