Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2012

Mentor:                       Adrian Rothenfluh     
Department:               Psychiatry
Room number:           NE 5.310
Mail Code:                 MC 9127
Phone number:          81169
E-mail:                        adrian.rothenfluh@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title:                Peptidergic Control of Satiation and Satiety

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):       NA

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):       NA

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)                basic

Brief Description of Project:

Overeating is a common problem with serious health consequences, but the molecular mechanisms controlling meals are not well understood. We use Drosophila melanogaster to understand the genetics of feeding. We measure flies’ meal initiation, maintenance, and satiation to understand the various mechanisms that control meal size. We will test the hypothesis that certain neuropeptides regulate different aspects of meal control. We will knock-down every single neuropeptide receptor in the fly brain, to test for changes in meal parameters. The systematic nature of our approach will yield insight into how flies control their meals, and suggest novel approaches to understand the biology of meal regulation in mammals, and humans.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

2011   Sean Khatami           (will be a co-author on a paper from that)
2008   Christina Wang