Understanding how sex differences affect biological rhythms
Official title: Sex differences in circadian output signaling
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11131245 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how male and female fruit flies have different internal body clocks that affect their metabolism and behavior, and it aims to understand the genes and brain circuits involved, especially how things like age and diet play a role in these differences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| 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 | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $392,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155111-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131245 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing metabolic disorders or those interested in how circadian rhythms affect health, particularly across different sexes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have metabolic disorders or are not affected by circadian rhythm disruptions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how male and female organisms differ in their circadian rhythms, which are the internal biological clocks that regulate various physiological processes. Using the fruit fly as a model, the study aims to uncover the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind these differences, particularly how they affect metabolism and behavior. The researchers will employ advanced techniques to map the brain circuits involved in these rhythms and assess how factors like age and diet influence these processes differently in males and females.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized approaches in treating metabolic disorders and other conditions influenced by circadian rhythms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding circadian rhythms can lead to significant advancements in health, but this specific focus on sex differences is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barber, Annika Fitzpatrick — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Barber, Annika Fitzpatrick
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Causes and consequences of intra-genomic coevolution
Scientists are studying how repetitive DNA in human cells interacts with proteins to impact genome health, fertility, and cellular functions.
-
How BRAF changes spark serrated colon cancer, from stem cells
This project studies how a BRAF mutation affects colon stem cells to understand what triggers serrated colon cancer.
-
Understanding how copper affects staph bacteria to fight infections
Scientists are studying how copper ions change the proteins inside Staphylococcus aureus to find new ways to treat resistant infections.
-
Sensory guidance of how diet affects healthy aging
Researchers will study how the way we experience food and our senses influence aging, using fruit-fly models to mirror human dietary choices.
-
Non-Invasive AI-Enhanced Neonatal Blood Pressure Monitoring in NICUs
A new AI-powered system uses the baby’s existing sensors to continuously track blood pressure in the NICU without invasive procedures, helping clinicians spot problems early.
-
How the brain drives overeating and weight loss with GLP-1 medications
Scientists are studying how brain circuits that control food seeking respond to obesity and weight loss with a GLP-1 drug, to understand why weight loss often doesn’t hold.
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.