Zandawala Lab

We use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to understand how neuropeptides and their G-protein coupled receptors modulate diverse behaviors and physiological processes including feeding, metabolism, stress and reproduction. We utilize multiple approaches in our lab including CRISPR/Cas9, Drosophila genetics, behavioral analyses, optogenetics and calcium imaging. We are also developing cutting-edge genetic tools to study neuropeptide function in Drosophila.