Understanding the role of microRNAs in metabolism, aging , and neurodegeneration using Drosophila melanogaster

microRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that help in fine-tuning gene expression. Despite tremendous achievements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis, the biological functions of most of the miRNAs remain elusive at the organismal level. Of the thousands of microRNAs identified in humans and the hundreds of miRNAs discovered in Drosophila, around 30 families are conserved across all bilaterian animals. But, the functions of most of these miRNAs have only been looked at through the lens of pathology, mainly cancer. Learning about the functions of these miRNAs in a normal cellular milieu is important in understanding their role in basic cellular functions and maintenance. I am interested in elucidating the role of brain-derived microRNAs in regulating lifespan and metabolic homeostasis, which may provide crucial insights into the causes of various metabolic and aging-related disorders.