Drosophila melanogaster

USRA Scientist Secures NASA Grant to Probe Profound Effects of Deep Space Environment on Biological Systems

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Thursday, September 28, 2023
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA recently awarded Dr. Janani Iyer, a scientist at Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a three-year flight grant to investigate the effects of deep space on Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) spanning multiple generations.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA recently awarded Dr. Janani Iyer, a scientist at Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a three-year flight grant to investigate the effects of deep space on Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) spanning multiple generations.
  • Unlike the relatively protected environment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment, deep space (beyond Earth's magnetosphere) subjects astronauts to significantly higher rates of ionizing radiation—approximately ten times greater.
  • Replicating deep space radiation in Earth-based analog facilities or on the International Space Station is challenging since it cannot be accurately replicated.
  • However, the upcoming Artemis II mission provides a unique opportunity to study biological responses associated with the deep space environment.

Speaking up for the annoying fruit fly

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Friday, June 2, 2023
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Fruit flies can be truly annoying when they are buzzing around your living room or landing in your wine.

Key Points: 
  • Fruit flies can be truly annoying when they are buzzing around your living room or landing in your wine.
  • But we have much to thank these tiny nuisances for – they revolutionised biological and medical science.
  • Flies and mosquitoes both belong to Diptera, the group of insects that have only two wings (from the Greek di meaning two and pteron meaning wing).
  • I will argue from a different angle, though, to win your respect for one specific dipteran: the fruit or vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster).

Helping science take off

    • This is because it’s easier to see evolutionary changes in large populations of a species with high turnover.
    • His mass-breeding experiments with hundreds of thousands of flies led to the discovery of a single fly with white eyes, instead of the red eyes fruit flies normally have.
    • The plethora of genetic strategies we’ve learned about in flies has turned into a powerful means to dissect mechanisms of fly development.
    • In 1995, three scientists won the Nobel prize for their contribution to this new understanding.

A startling likeness

    • Many human genes can even take over the function of their Drosophilia equivalent when inserted into the fly genome.
    • Because we are so alike genetically, many aspects of human biology and disease have been explored first in Drosophila.
    • Today, over 10,000 researchers worldwide are estimated to work with Drosophila in many areas of science that relate to human biology and disease.
    • Fruit flies hovering in your kitchen might be aggravating, but hopefully you will see them in a different light now.

Stowers Institute scientists discover the dynamics of an "extra" chromosome in fruit flies, offers unique opportunity to study similar chromosomes linked to cancer and infertility in humans

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Thursday, May 4, 2023
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Now, researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have revealed the dynamics of a new, very young chromosome in fruit flies that is similar to chromosomes that arise in humans and is associated with treatment-resistant cancer and infertility.

Key Points: 
  • Now, researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have revealed the dynamics of a new, very young chromosome in fruit flies that is similar to chromosomes that arise in humans and is associated with treatment-resistant cancer and infertility.
  • Previous research from the Hawley Lab had first identified these small, extra chromosomes, but little was known about their form, function, or dynamics during cell division.
  • In addition, the presence of supernumerary chromosomes in men can disrupt normal chromosome segregation during sperm production, which can cause infertility.
  • "Being able to understand how supernumerary chromosomes arise and what their structures are can potentially illuminate their vulnerabilities," said Hawley.

ProMIS Neurosciences Presents Preclinical Data Highlighting Targeting of Toxic Misfolded Proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease and ALS at American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting

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Monday, April 24, 2023
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The data were presented in poster presentations on April 23 at the 75th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Boston, MA.

Key Points: 
  • The data were presented in poster presentations on April 23 at the 75th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Boston, MA.
  • “We are pleased to share progress highlighting our ongoing effort to develop next-generation therapies for debilitating neurodegenerative disorders,” said Gail Farfel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ProMIS Neurosciences.
  • In a cell system, the misfolded form of RACK1 was detected by ProMIS antibodies selective for this RACK1 isoform.
  • These preclinical findings support misfolded RACK1 as a potential therapeutic target for TDP-43 proteinopathy in non-SOD1 and non-FUS ALS as well as FTLD-TDP.

BioAlberta Recognizes Alberta Innovators and Entrepreneurs at Annual Health and Life Sciences Showcase & Awards Ceremony

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Wednesday, September 28, 2022
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The awards were presented at BioAlbertas Annual Health and Life Sciences Showcase & Awards Ceremony, held in Calgary on September 27th.

Key Points: 
  • The awards were presented at BioAlbertas Annual Health and Life Sciences Showcase & Awards Ceremony, held in Calgary on September 27th.
  • This award acknowledges a company that has shown significant achievement within the marketplace and Albertas business community through strong performance or a leadership role.
  • Accepting this award Co-Founders Matt Anderson-Baron and Jalene Anderson-Baron said: We are very honored to be recognized as the BioAlberta company of the year.
  • BioAlberta is the voice and champion for life sciences in Alberta, committed to creating a thriving and competitive industry by facilitating and accelerating economic diversification, investment attraction and job growth.

Kanazawa University Research: Structural Development of the Brain

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 24, 2019
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The team spanning across Kanazawa University, Ryukoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Imperial College London, used the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) brain for their experiments.

Key Points: 
  • The team spanning across Kanazawa University, Ryukoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Imperial College London, used the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) brain for their experiments.
  • The visual centre of the Drosophila brain bears high structural resemblance to the columnar arrangement of the human one, making it an apposite, yet simple model to study.
  • The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa a city rich in history and culture.
  • Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.

Kanazawa University Research: Structural Development of the Brain

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 24, 2019
Animal models, Animals, Organisms, American football in Japan, Kanazawa University, Melanogaster, Drosophila melanogaster, Brain, Kanazawa, Drosophila, Branches of biology

The team spanning across Kanazawa University, Ryukoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Imperial College London, used the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) brain for their experiments.

Key Points: 
  • The team spanning across Kanazawa University, Ryukoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Imperial College London, used the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) brain for their experiments.
  • This discovery can help neuroscientists monitor healthy development of the brain and uncover other molecules involved in the process.
  • The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa a city rich in history and culture.
  • Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.