Understanding the drive to eat beyond just hunger
Genetic dissection of motivational drive to eat
This research uses fruit flies to help us understand why we feel like eating even when our bodies don't strictly need more calories.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091068 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Sometimes we eat because we need energy, but other times we eat for different reasons, like enjoying a taste or feeling stressed. This project explores these 'calorie-independent' reasons for eating, which are not yet well understood. By studying fruit flies, which have similar basic eating behaviors, researchers can look closely at the genes and brain circuits involved. The goal is to uncover the fundamental ways our bodies decide what and when to eat, beyond just basic hunger.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is foundational laboratory research using fruit flies, so there are no direct patient participation opportunities at this time.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not receive benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide foundational knowledge for understanding and potentially addressing complex human eating behaviors and disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While much is known about calorie-driven eating, research into calorie-independent eating mechanisms is a newer and less explored area.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Qili — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Liu, Qili
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 below.