The Fruit Fly as Human Disease Research Tool
April 18, 2018
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been used in biological research studies for more than 100 years. We have a deep understanding of how fruit fly genes function to control growth, behavior, and many other processes. You might ask, so what? Stephanie Mohr explains how commonalities between genes in
fruit flies and humans can be put to use in disease-related studies. Drawing on examples from her book, First in Fly, as well as work from her research group, Mohr describes the contribution the fruit fly has made — and can make in the future — to the goal of understanding human health and developing treatments for diseases such as cancer, rare genetic disorders, and Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.