Why we all look like fruit flies

Summary

This video explores the fascinating world of fruit flies and their role in scientific research, especially in understanding human diseases like ALS. Through the work of neuroscientist Marije Been, fruit flies, genetically modified for ALS research, reveal crucial insights into protein clumps that trigger nerve cell death. The lab work involves dissecting and studying these tiny creatures, which share significant genetic similarities with humans. Despite their small size, fruit flies contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in areas such as genetics, disease, and behavior, offering hope for medical breakthroughs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fruit flies, though often seen as pests, are crucial to scientific research and have contributed to major discoveries like the biological clock and immune system.
• 😀 75% of the genes that cause diseases in humans are also found in fruit flies, making them valuable subjects for studying human health.
• 😀 Fruit flies exhibit human-like behaviors, such as loneliness, extroversion, and introversion, as well as a tendency to drink alcohol when isolated.
• 😀 Fruit flies are cost-effective and efficient for scientific research, allowing researchers to test many variables quickly due to their rapid reproduction cycle.
• 😀 They are commonly used in research on diseases such as autism, ADHD, Parkinson's disease, and cardiovascular diseases.
• 😀 Marije Been's lab at Radboud University uses genetically modified fruit flies to study ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that leads to nerve cell death.
• 😀 ALS research involves examining the accumulation of protein clumps in nerve cells, a key feature of the disease, which can be studied in fruit flies.
• 😀 Fruit fly larvae are studied by dissecting their tiny brains under a microscope to observe protein buildup related to ALS.
• 😀 A special confocal microscope is used to view deep into the cells of fruit flies, revealing the presence of ALS-related protein clumps.
• 😀 While the fruit flies used in research are often discarded after their scientific value is exhausted, there is occasional emotional attachment to notable flies, like Dave, who had a unique tumor.

Q & A

Why are fruit flies considered heroes in scientific research?

Fruit flies are considered heroes in science because they have contributed to significant discoveries, such as the biological clock, chromosomes, and the immune system. Their genetic similarity to humans makes them ideal for studying human diseases, with many Nobel Prizes awarded for work involving them.

What percentage of genes related to diseases in humans are also present in fruit flies?

Around 75% of the genes involved in human diseases are also present in fruit flies. This genetic similarity makes them highly useful for scientific research, including studies on diseases like ALS, Parkinson's, and more.

What makes fruit flies particularly useful for scientific research?

Fruit flies are useful in scientific research because they are cheap, easy to work with, and reproduce quickly, generating new generations in just ten days. Their small size and biological similarities to humans allow for rapid experimentation and high throughput testing of various hypotheses.

How do fruit flies exhibit human-like behavior?

Fruit flies exhibit behavior similar to humans, such as being extroverted or introverted, experiencing loneliness, and reacting to stressors like alcohol consumption. They also show signs of poor sleep and increased food intake when isolated, much like humans can when they experience emotional distress.

How are fruit flies used in research on diseases like ALS?

In ALS research, fruit flies are genetically modified to include human DNA, allowing scientists to study the effects of diseases like ALS on their brain and nervous system. Researchers observe how protein clumps accumulate in the flies' cells, which helps understand the mechanisms behind ALS in humans.

What specific research does Marije Been conduct on fruit flies in her lab?

Marije Been's research focuses on studying the brains of fruit fly larvae to understand ALS. She investigates how protein clumps form in nerve cells, which is an early stage of ALS, in order to gain insight into the disease's development in humans.

What is the process of dissecting a fruit fly larva's brain in the lab?

To dissect a fruit fly larva's brain, Marije anesthetizes the larva by placing it on ice, then pins it to a microscope slide. She makes a small incision along the length of the larva and removes the intestines to access the brain. Using a confocal microscope, she searches for protein deposits linked to ALS in the brain tissue.

What role does the confocal microscope play in Marije Been's research?

The confocal microscope is essential in Marije's research because it uses lasers to look deeper into the cell, providing clearer images of the brain's internal structure. This technology helps her identify protein clumps related to ALS within the fruit fly's nerve cells.

Why are genetically modified fruit flies important for ALS research?

Genetically modified fruit flies are important for ALS research because they can be engineered to carry human genes related to ALS. This allows scientists to study the disease's effects on nerve cells and better understand the genetic and cellular mechanisms that lead to ALS in humans.

How do researchers study protein clumps related to ALS in fruit flies?

Researchers study protein clumps in fruit flies by genetically modifying the flies to develop ALS-like symptoms. By dissecting the flies and using microscopes, scientists can observe protein deposits in the nerve cells, providing valuable insights into how ALS develops at the cellular level.