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Impact Of Metformin On Feeding, Behavior, And Metabolism In Drosophila Melanogaster., Erica E. Hassoun, Heba Kourhabi, Jason Bui Ho, Dae-Sung Hwangbo

Undergraduate Research Events

Metformin is a first-line drug used in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus and is the 4th-most prescribed drug in the United States. It functions in lowering blood glucose levels and increasing insulin sensitivity. Despite its wide scale use, the degree to which it affects aspects of behavior and metabolism unrelated to diabetes is not fully understood.

Recent studies have attempted to fill this gap, particularly in the context of metformin’s impact on lifespan. We decided to extend this research by focusing on measurable behaviors as well as traits related to metabolism and physiology. Using the fruit fly Drosophila …