Why Can the Genetics of Fruit Flies Be Applied to Humans?

A new study has shown that the genetics of fruit flies can be used to study human disease. Researchers are using the flies to find out how certain genes are mutated and how they can be fixed. Their results may help us understand the causes of human disease and birth defects.

The research team will breed nine generations of Drosophila on the ISS. Each generation will have approximately 120 flies. The scientists will then freeze the flies and study the resulting messenger RNA, which is precursor to proteins. The results will reveal whether any of the mutations are linked to a human disease or trait.

Researchers are finding that the genome of fruit flies is more adaptable than that of mice, making them a valuable source of genetic research. A fruit fly can go from egg to adult in under two weeks and a female can lay up to 100 eggs in a single day. These advantages make breeding fruit flies a cheaper alternative than raising mice, which can cost PS16 (US$26). It is possible to change the genome of a fruit fly more easily than that of other multicellular animals, which is why fruit fly research could lead to new treatments for human diseases in the future.

Genes can be modified using genetic “screens.” Researchers use radiation and chemicals to knock out or deactivate genes, resulting in the development of new cells and diseases. It is also possible to mutate the DNA of fruit flies in order to mimic the genetics of humans. The fly community has developed thousands of genetic lines for this purpose. These are freely available to researchers who wish to use them for research.