Using fruit flies to study human mitochondrial diseases
Official title: Drosophila models of human mitochondrial diseases
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10895460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how mitochondrial diseases work by using fruit flies to learn more about the problems they cause, which can lead to muscle weakness and organ issues, and it aims to find new ways to detect and treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $835,142 |
| NIH project number | 5R24OD035556-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10895460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with mitochondrial diseases or those at risk of developing such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated genetic disorders or those not affected by mitochondrial dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind mitochondrial diseases, which can lead to various health issues such as muscle weakness and organ failure. By creating Drosophila (fruit fly) models, researchers aim to better understand these diseases at a molecular level. The study will utilize advanced techniques like CRISPR to modify genes in fruit flies, allowing for the development of tools that can detect proteins related to human mitochondrial diseases. This approach will help validate the fruit fly models and provide insights into potential treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potential therapies for mitochondrial diseases affecting many patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using Drosophila models has shown success in understanding various human diseases, indicating a promising approach for studying mitochondrial disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perrimon, Norbert — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Perrimon, Norbert
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Emerging therapies for rare maternal mitochondrial diseases with shared causes
A basket clinical trial will test new drug candidates for two ultra-rare mitochondrial diseases (MELAS and LHON-Plus) that share the same underlying energy-making problem in people who could be affected.
-
Drosophila models to study human mitochondrial diseases
A scientist at Harvard Medical School is creating fly-based tools to study how mitochondrial problems cause human diseases.
-
First MTATP6 mitochondrial disease mouse model and AAV-based gene therapy approach
A new grant aims to create a mouse model of MTATP6 mitochondrial disease and test an AAV-based gene therapy approach to treat it.
-
New treatments for maternally inherited mitochondrial diseases MELAS and LHON-Plus
New drug candidates aim to boost cellular energy for people with MELAS or LHON-Plus, rare maternally inherited mitochondrial diseases.
-
Developing a gene therapy for mitochondrial diseases using a mouse model
This study is working on a new way to help people with mitochondrial diseases caused by a specific gene problem by using a special virus to deliver a healthy version of that gene, which could lead to better treatments for those affected.
-
New treatments for rare mitochondrial diseases passed from mother to child
This study is looking for new treatment options for people with two rare inherited mitochondrial diseases, MELAS and LHON-Plus, which cause serious health issues, and it aims to see if a shared treatment can help both groups of patients feel better.
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.