Deciphering the biological mechanisms underlying the homeostatic interactions among metabolism, circadian rhythms, and immunity
Abstract
Under regular job duties, aircrews typically have shift work schedules and long work hours under loud noise, low oxygen, low atmospheric pressure, and low humidity environments. Flight operations under such difficult conditions can easily cause interruptions in their circadian, metabolic, and immune functions and result in decline in their health and working performance. To overcome these challenges, a better understanding of how different biological functions interact with each other in an organism to maintain comprehensive biological homeostasis is necessary. In our laboratory, we are studying this subject by looking at the homeostatic interactions among metabolism, circadian rhythms, and immunity in Drosophila, a genetically highly tractable model organism with substantial similarities to humans at the molecular level. Through novel combinations of genetic, molecular, in vivo imaging, and behavioral approaches, we aim to decipher the molecular pathways underlying the homeostatic interactions among these biological functions. It is expected that the outcome derived from our studies will not only improve our fundamental understanding of biological homeostasis in metabolism, circadian rhythms, and immunity, but also open up new avenues in studying broader biological homeostasis and human health in the near future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310652
Entities
People
- Jen-yung Chen
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California, San Diego