Understanding how nutrients affect daily biological rhythms

Non-transcriptional regulation of circadian physiology

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-11014375

This study looks at how the food we eat affects our body's natural daily rhythms, using fruit flies to learn more about how nutrients help keep these rhythms in sync with things like light and temperature, which could help us understand health problems that arise when these rhythms get out of balance.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11014375 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how nutrients influence the body's internal clocks, which regulate daily biological rhythms. By using the fruit fly model, the study aims to explore how post-translational modifications of proteins, triggered by nutrient intake, help maintain these rhythms. The research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that allow animals to synchronize their metabolism and energy use with environmental changes, such as light and temperature. This could lead to insights into how disruptions in these rhythms may contribute to various health issues.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing health issues linked to circadian rhythm disruptions, such as sleep disorders or metabolic syndromes.

Not a fit: Patients with stable circadian rhythms and no related health issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing health conditions related to circadian rhythm disruptions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding circadian rhythms, but this specific focus on nutrient-dependent mechanisms is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.