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Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease

James L. Rouse Orcid Logo, Laura F. Corns Orcid Logo, Aidan Seeley Orcid Logo, Nicholas S. Freestone Orcid Logo

Advances in Physiology Education, Volume: 49, Issue: 4, Pages: 1142 - 1148

Swansea University Author: Aidan Seeley Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1152/advan.00085.2025

Abstract

In response to financial, logistical, and ethical pressures, universities are exploring innovative methods for teaching physiology practicals with animal models. This study presents a laboratory activity employing Drosophila melanogaster as a model for neurological disease, leveraging its historical...

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Published in: Advances in Physiology Education
ISSN: 1043-4046 1522-1229
Published: American Physiological Society 2025
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70725
first_indexed 2025-10-19T22:32:17Z
last_indexed 2025-12-05T09:28:14Z
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spelling 2025-12-03T16:06:36.9944739 v2 70725 2025-10-19 Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease c69dba86b3ccf9a140b67b7e97d68bba 0000-0001-7085-4296 Aidan Seeley Aidan Seeley true false 2025-10-19 MEDS In response to financial, logistical, and ethical pressures, universities are exploring innovative methods for teaching physiology practicals with animal models. This study presents a laboratory activity employing Drosophila melanogaster as a model for neurological disease, leveraging its historical utility in genetic and physiological research. As invertebrates, D. melanogaster are not subject to the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the United Kingdom, making them suitable for large-class teaching. The activity aims to enhance students’ molecular skills and understanding of genotype-phenotype linkages through hands-on experiments. Students conduct DNA extraction, PCR, and restriction digestion, followed by behavioral assays to assess motor function. Results demonstrate consistent molecular outcomes and significant differences in climbing ability between wild-type and mutant flies, mirroring multiple human neurological disease symptoms. The practical encourages inquiry-based learning, allowing students to design multistage experiments and analyze complex data. This comprehensive approach not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also provides valuable insights into human disease mechanisms with invertebrate models. The methodology can be adapted for various educational levels and expanded to include more advanced techniques such as qPCR, fostering a deeper understanding of molecular biology and neurophysiology. Journal Article Advances in Physiology Education 49 4 1142 1148 American Physiological Society 1043-4046 1522-1229 Drosophila melanogaster; partial replacement; 3Rs; undergraduate experiments 1 12 2025 2025-12-01 10.1152/advan.00085.2025 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University Other 2025-12-03T16:06:36.9944739 2025-10-19T23:29:48.1188454 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Biomedical Science James L. Rouse 0000-0001-8457-4623 1 Laura F. Corns 0000-0003-1139-3527 2 Aidan Seeley 0000-0001-7085-4296 3 Nicholas S. Freestone 0009-0002-8626-7904 4 70725__35745__932447efe1f84e4d8c8db28ea893d108.pdf 70725.VoR.pdf 2025-12-03T15:59:19.8244263 Output 621392 application/pdf Version of Record true Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC-BY-NC 4.0. license. true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
title Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease
spellingShingle Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease
Aidan Seeley
title_short Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease
title_full Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease
title_fullStr Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease
title_full_unstemmed Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease
title_sort Drosophila melanogaster as a physiologically relevant invertebrate teaching model system of complex neurological disease
author_id_str_mv c69dba86b3ccf9a140b67b7e97d68bba
author_id_fullname_str_mv c69dba86b3ccf9a140b67b7e97d68bba_***_Aidan Seeley
author Aidan Seeley
author2 James L. Rouse
Laura F. Corns
Aidan Seeley
Nicholas S. Freestone
format Journal article
container_title Advances in Physiology Education
container_volume 49
container_issue 4
container_start_page 1142
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
issn 1043-4046
1522-1229
doi_str_mv 10.1152/advan.00085.2025
publisher American Physiological Society
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str Swansea University Medical School - Biomedical Science{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Swansea University Medical School - Biomedical Science
document_store_str 1
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description In response to financial, logistical, and ethical pressures, universities are exploring innovative methods for teaching physiology practicals with animal models. This study presents a laboratory activity employing Drosophila melanogaster as a model for neurological disease, leveraging its historical utility in genetic and physiological research. As invertebrates, D. melanogaster are not subject to the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the United Kingdom, making them suitable for large-class teaching. The activity aims to enhance students’ molecular skills and understanding of genotype-phenotype linkages through hands-on experiments. Students conduct DNA extraction, PCR, and restriction digestion, followed by behavioral assays to assess motor function. Results demonstrate consistent molecular outcomes and significant differences in climbing ability between wild-type and mutant flies, mirroring multiple human neurological disease symptoms. The practical encourages inquiry-based learning, allowing students to design multistage experiments and analyze complex data. This comprehensive approach not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also provides valuable insights into human disease mechanisms with invertebrate models. The methodology can be adapted for various educational levels and expanded to include more advanced techniques such as qPCR, fostering a deeper understanding of molecular biology and neurophysiology.
published_date 2025-12-01T05:32:11Z
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