We are located in the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics on the University's Health Sciences campus. Our labs use Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to study renal function, ion transport, and how water and ion OUT-put are regulated. We are also interested in the IN-take of water, food, and especially drugs of abuse.

Our Labs

Rodan Lab

Maintaining Homeostasis of Ions and Water

The body needs to maintain constant concentrations of ions and water in order for cells to function. Our goal is to understand how the body maintains this constancy by examining how ions and water are sensed, and effector pathways that restore homeostasis during periods of stress, such as excess or deficient ion and water intake or loss.

Rothenfluh Lab

Neurobiology of Addiction

We aim to understand the mechanisms mediating addictive behavioral responses and changes. We also continue to investigate whether (and to show that) homologous genes are involved in human and Drosophila responses to this drug of abuse.