Understanding how single-celled relatives of animals sense their environment
Official title: Exploiting unicellular animal relatives to understand the evolution of sensory systems
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-10997473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at tiny single-celled organisms called choanoflagellates to understand how they sense changes in their environment, like pH and oxygen levels, which can help us learn more about how animals, including humans, detect and respond to different signals around them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $73,408 |
| NIH project number | 1F32GM156012-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with a keen interest in evolutionary biology or those affected by sensory processing disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to sensory processing or those not interested in biological research may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how unicellular organisms, specifically choanoflagellates, detect and respond to environmental cues such as pH and oxygen levels. By studying these organisms, which are the closest living relatives of animals, the research aims to uncover the fundamental principles of cellular signaling that underlie the sensory systems of multicellular animals. The project employs techniques in bioinformatics, microscopy, and genetics, while also incorporating new methods in electrophysiology to explore the evolution of sensory mechanisms in response to diverse ecological demands.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of sensory system evolution, potentially leading to advancements in treating sensory disorders in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding sensory systems through the study of unicellular organisms, indicating that this approach is promising and builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coyle, Maxwell Clark — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Coyle, Maxwell Clark
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.