Grant: Operating Grant

Salt sensation, unlike other tastes including sweet, sour, bitter, and umami (savory), is poorly understood. Knowing how we taste salt is important, as regulation of salt in the diet is essential for managing high blood pressure. We are studying salt sensation using the microscopic round worm C. elegans. Using powerful genetic, imaging, and behavioral tests, we are trying to find the genes responsible for salt sensation and understand how they help the worm (and people) to taste salt. These studies will lead to the development of salt substitutes that can be used to prevent high blood pressure.