Research Projects

Nutrient consumption is crucial for the growth and functioning of organisms, as it balances the availability of nutrients, storage of energy resources, and energy generation. Proper nutrient supply impacts physiological status, fecundity, and lifespan. To maintain nutrient homeostasis, precise sensing of nutrient availability is necessary, and metabolic pathways are regulated towards storage or utilization of nutrients. This proposal uses the widely used genetic model organism Drosophila to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in managing nutrient homeostasis. Current dietary restrictions during early life stages can negatively affect systemic development, body size, fecundity, ageing, and the ability to handle physiological stresses in adults. Organisms can survive low nutrient conditions, develop to adult stages, and reproduce with proper sensing and responses to low nutrient status. In Drosophila, the fat body (FB) and neuronal insulin producing cells (IPC) monitor changes in nutrient supply, triggering responses that affect insulin signaling and growth and development. Insulin signaling plays a significant role in maintaining nutrient homeostasis, especially during changes in nutrient availability. Another cell signaling cascade, the hypoxic signaling pathway, is also sensed by all cells, primarily an adaptive response to survive low oxygen conditions. Recent studies show that hypoxic signaling can affect larval growth and development, and early life stage hypoxia can have persistent effects on adult physiology, stress resistance, and lifespan. The current project proposal aims to unravel the cross-talks between hypoxic signaling and insulin signaling pathways in managing nutrient homeostasis.