Genome, Evolution, Drosophila and Beyond: The New Dimensions

Abstract

A century ago, a little fly with red eyes was first used for genetic studies. That insignificant fly called at that time, Drosophila ampelophila, was going to revolutionize biology while becoming the model we know today as Drosophila melanogaster. Since then, its study has never ceased, but the field of interest has somewhat changed over the century. Drosophila meetings are exceptional opportunities to gather biologists of diverse backgrounds to not only learn about the latest improvements in our field of interest, but also to appreciate learning another bit of biology. From this biological melting pot a culture very specific to the fly community has emerged. Thus, besides neurobiology, cell biology and development a diversity of other fields of research exist, and they all have their own place in the cultural and historical dimension of the "Drosophila" model. Several communications from these diverse fields of research were presented at the 8th Japanese Drosophila Research Conference (JDRC8) and they are briefly reported here.