Most organisms produce energy using oxygen to make ATP via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the mitochondria. This process generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is beneficial in moderation for various metabolic processes like growth and signal transduction. However, elevated ROS levels are harmful as they are highly reactive, causing oxidative damage to cells, which may lead to mitochondrial dysfunctional diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In response, cells may produce uncoupling proteins (UCPs) that diffuse some of the electrochemical gradient that builds up in the mitochondria. My proposed research project will test this framework, using the model organism Drosophila because of the ease of genetic manipulation and the presence of mammalian UCP homologs. This project will address the knowledge gap of the UCPs in flies and invertebrates where mammalian UCPs are well defined in their role of heat production during hibernation. Therefore, we think that UCPs may be a critical cellular defense mechanism in these highly aerobic organisms. With the current effects of climate change, many ectotherms such as insects will be facing increased energetic stress which will likely result in more ROS production. With this, a deeper investigation into uncoupling of the mitochondria would aid in the process of understanding the way insects will cope with climate change as well as investigating Drosophila as a potential alternative model for in vivo UCP studies.