# Genetic dissection of motivational drive to eat

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $403,750

## Abstract

Project Summary
Food intake can be triggered by not only the need for calories, but also the need for specific nutrients,
or need-independent mechanisms. Studies over the recent decades have made substantial progress in
our understanding of neural pathways controlling food intake in the context of energy homeostasis. In
contrast, mechanisms underlying calorie-independent feeding remain poorly understood. Using
Drosophila as a model system, I recently identified and characterized the first neural circuit encoding
protein-specific hunger in any model system. This circuit provides a novel entry for future investigations
into the nutrient specific food intake that is independent of caloric needs. In this proposed study, I will
characterize the molecular and cellular substrates mediating the homeostatic regulation of protein
consumption, with a particular focus on the sensing of protein abundance or scarcity. We also plan to
elucidate how environmental blue light drives feeding behavior in the absence of nutritional needs. To
achieve these goals, we will employ a multidisciplinary approach including large-scale genetic
analyses, quantitative behavioral measurements, immunohistochemistry, functional imaging, patch-
clamp electrophysiology and metabolomics analysis. Together these investigations will substantially
deepen our understanding of calorie-independent motivational drive to eat, shedding light on the
fundamental principles for the organization and modulation of feeding behaviors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10028237
- **Project number:** 1R35GM138060-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Qili Liu
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $403,750
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10028237

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10028237, Genetic dissection of motivational drive to eat (1R35GM138060-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10028237. Licensed CC0.

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