The funded project is focused on describing the ability of a biochemical signaling pathway called Wnt/Wingless to control pain sensitivity, using the Drosophila melanogaster, or fruit fly, model system. With powerful and rapid genetic techniques, Ganter’s team perturbs the expression of key pathway components in the sensory neurons that perceive painful stimuli, such as noxious heat or pressure, then uses behavioral assays to determine resulting effects on pain sensitivity. Any components determined to play such a role represent potential targets for novel pain treatments for use in humans. The three-year grant is Ganter’s fourth such award.