A Caenorhabditis elegans first-stage larva expressing an insulin-like peptide from a sensory neuron, where it regulates physiological responses like developmental plasticity
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Sensory mechanisms that influence animal physiology and longevity
For optimal survival, an animal has to process complex environmental information to generate the appropriate physiological responses. However, the mechanisms through which animals process complex information remain unknown. Recently, we have identified different neuropeptide signaling pathways that are involved in processing distinct sensory cues to promote different physiological outputs: (i) the neuromedin U signaling pathway in mediating the food-type influence on development and lifespan and (ii) specific insulin-like peptides in promoting distinct developmental switches under certain environments. In the future, we plan to elucidate how these neuropeptides encode and process environmental information to manage different physiological outputs, e.g., development versus lifespan.
Postdoctoral Studies, Genetics and Neurobiology of Aging, University of California, San Francisco PhD, Molecular Biology and Developmental Genetics, University of Zurich
Postdoctoral Studies, Genetics and Neurobiology of Aging, University of California, San Francisco PhD, Molecular Biology and Developmental Genetics, University of Zurich
News
Here's our newest publication:
Sifoglu, D., Pereira, B., DeGregory, C., Shah, R., Maier, W., Guan, J., Clark, I, Patel, D., Ch'ng, Q, and Alcedo, J. (2026). The neuropeptide neuromedin U receptor NMUR-1 buffers insulin receptor signaling in bacteria-dependent C. elegans survival. PLoS Genet 22: e1012190. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1012190.
Congratulations, Dr. Bianca Pereira! Bianca was hooded on May 6, 2026, with her mom, Philu Pereira, in the audience (see photos).
Open Positions
One to two graduate student positions available.
Mohamed and other students met with Governor Whitmer during her visit to Wayne State on Mon, Mar 13, 2023