Disease-Related Research

Drosophila is used in diverse human disease-related research projects, serving as:

  • an excellent system for studying the function of genes conserved between humans and flies
  • a model of human diseases, including as a model of infection by human pathogens and as a model of diseases with genetic causes
  • a model of insects, including insect vectors of infectious diseases

All relevant curated links and news

Screenshot of the article header at Aeon magazine

Drosophila biologist Norbert Perrimon featured in article about hormone signaling

February 28, 2019
An article by Pam Weintraub published in the digital magazine Aeon, "Hormones United," explores the 'democratic' way in which hormone signaling among organs maintains homeostasis and new ways in which researchers are learning about this medically relevant field. Work from the laboratory of Prof. Norbert Perrimon in this area using Drosophila as a model system is featured in... Read more about Drosophila biologist Norbert Perrimon featured in article about hormone signaling
Screenshot from a Vilcek Foundation webpage

Drosophila biologist R. Lehmann among 2021 Vilcek Foundation prizewinners

September 11, 2020
Drosophila biologist Ruth Lehmann (MIT and Whitehead Institute) was recently announced as one of the recpients of the 2021 Vilcek Prize for Excellence. Specifically, Prof. Lehamnn received the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science "for unraveling the molecular basis by which germ cells, which give rise to sperm and egg cells, are formed." You can read more about the prize and its recipients here. Read more about Drosophila biologist R. Lehmann among 2021 Vilcek Foundation prizewinners
An Illustration of a Radio

Drosophila biologists featured on WHYY The Pulse episode "What Lab Animals Teach Us" and WNPR Where We Live episode "The Buzz About Flies"

June 8, 2018

WHYY radio's health and science program The Pulse explores "What Lab Animals Teach Us." Guests include Drosophila biologists Stephanie Mohr (Harvard Medical School) and Hugo Bellen (Baylor College of Medicine). You can...

Read more about Drosophila biologists featured on WHYY The Pulse episode "What Lab Animals Teach Us" and WNPR Where We Live episode "The Buzz About Flies"