Understanding how food perception affects longevity in worms
Official title: Determining the neural mechanisms of mechanosensory food perception in DR-mediated longevity
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10904672 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the way we smell and touch food can affect how long tiny worms live and their overall health, which might help us understand how our own eating habits and senses could influence our aging and well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $42,575 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AG084146-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904672 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in aging, dietary habits, and their effects on health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in dietary restriction or aging-related research may not find this study beneficial.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different ways of perceiving food, particularly through smell and touch, influence the lifespan and health of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. By examining the neural mechanisms involved in these sensory perceptions, the study aims to uncover how they affect dietary restriction, a known factor in promoting longevity. The research utilizes advanced techniques to analyze the signaling pathways in these worms, which could provide insights into the broader implications for aging and health in humans. Patients may benefit from understanding how dietary habits and sensory experiences can impact longevity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy aging and longevity in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding dietary restriction and longevity, but this specific approach focusing on mechanosensation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kitto, Elizabeth Sarah — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kitto, Elizabeth Sarah
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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.