Metabolic signatures and neurophysiological mechanisms of bad food decisions.

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Peter Kovacs; Privatdozent Dr. Dennis Pauls
• Subject Area: Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 531591887

Vertebrate and invertebrate species have to deal with changes in food availability in order to keep a positive energy balance. A well-balanced energy homeostasis is indispensable for the individual´s health. An increased intake of energy-dense food or an increase in physical inactivity are fundamental causes of obesity and overweight. On the other side hunger or malnutrition induces painful sensation caused by insufficient caloric intake leading to extensive physiological changes up to organ damage and death. At a certain point, progressive malnutrition evokes the individual´s inevitable decision to intake food of bad quality which is normally avoided. Our project aims to understand what kind of changes occur in brain-body communication to induce the intake of bad quality food, that is normally avoided. We aim to identify the metabolic signatures and neurophysiological mechanisms that triggers bad food decisions. Interestingly, we assume that the underlying changes also occur in obesity, the other extreme of malnutrition. Therefore, we aim a holistic understanding of bad feeding decisions on a metabolic, neurophysiological, and endocrinological level. The project will exploit the experimental potential of Drosophila to study the metabolic and neurophysiological basis of bad food decisions. We will combine a multiomics strategy (metabolomics, transcriptomics and proteomics) with neurogenetics (e.g. optogenetics), behavioral studies, high resolution microscopy and live cell imaging (Ca2+ and FRET imaging) and are convinced that this scientific approach will provide new insights into the mechanisms of bad food decisions. Targeting mechanisms underlying hunger-driven eating behavior including bad food decisions may help to advance therapeutic strategies by improving patients´ compliance to body weight loss interventions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants