Workshop on ‘Drosophila as a Research Model’ concludes at Dept of Zoology

Aligarh : Undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) were given practical training on using the Drosophila (fruit fly) for research in the eight-day Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Department of Science and Technology (DST) sponsored National hands-on workshop on ‘Drosophila as a Research Model’ that concluded on November 9, Wednesday.

In the valedictory programme, Prof LS Shashidhara, a renowned developmental biologist, JC Bose National Fellow and Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Awardee spoke on evolutionary biological aspects of Drosophila.

He explained the importance of Drosophila in understanding the various developmental pathways.

Discussing Drosophila as a model organism to study disciplines ranging from fundamental genetics to the development of tissues and organs, Prof Shashidhara pointed out: “The natural history and genetic tractability makes Drosophila an ideal model for studies on the genetic basis of resistance to nutritional stress”.

He also distributed certificates to the participants.

Prof Mohammad Afzal (Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences and Chairman, Department of Zoology) and Prof Mukhtar Ahmed Khan (Organizing Chairman) felicitated Prof LS Shashidhara.

Prof Mohammad Afzal also delivered the welcome address.

Dr Yasir Hasan Siddique (Organizing Secretary) conducted the programme.