Understanding how taste processing affects eating behavior in fruit flies
Official title: Dissecting the first layer of central taste processing in Drosophila
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10954717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains understand taste and how that affects what we eat, especially for people dealing with obesity or eating disorders, using fruit flies to learn more about the brain's response to different tastes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $379,162 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021478-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing altered taste perception or those affected by obesity and eating disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have issues related to taste perception or eating behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes taste information and how this affects eating behavior, particularly in the context of obesity and eating disorders. Using fruit flies as a model organism, the study aims to explore the neuronal responses involved in taste perception and how these responses influence behavior. By examining specific types of neurons that play a role in taste processing, the research seeks to uncover the mechanisms that underlie feeding decisions in both healthy and disordered states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how taste perception influences eating habits, potentially informing treatments for obesity and eating disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in similar areas has shown success in understanding taste processing in other models, but this specific approach using Drosophila is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Devineni, Anita Vani — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Devineni, Anita Vani
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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.