The Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference, more commonly known as APDRC5, is currently taking place in Pune, marking its duration from January 6th for a span of five days. This brings an exciting opportunity as India hosts the event for the very first time, with the organization being managed by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). The earlier four conferences have been conducted in Taipei, Seoul, Beijing, and Osaka.
Key points of the APDRC5
APDRC5, which is a biennial conference, aims to facilitate communication between Drosophila researchers from the Asia-Pacific and those around the globe. It serves as a platform for scientists worldwide who utilize Drosophila, a fruit fly species, as their model organism for biological research. The attendees include several international and local delegates, with renowned personalities such as Nobel laureates Professors Eric Wieschaus and Michael Rosbash. Both laureates are esteemed for their essential contributions to developmental biology and chronobiology, respectively.
Understanding Drosophila
Taking its name from the Greek term drósos, signifying ‘dew-loving’, Drosophila forms part of the Droso-philidae family and is often referred to as fruit flies or vinegar, wine, or pomace flies. Their primary characteristic lies in their habitat preference for ripe or decomposing fruits. A related family named Tephritidae, also known as true fruit flies or fruit flies, feed primarily on fruits, whether ripe or unripe.
For the past century, Drosophila has been heavily favored as a model organism in biological research worldwide. Numerous breakthroughs in biology have resulted from studies using these tiny creatures. The Drosophila genome is completely sequenced, providing a wealth of information about its biochemistry, physiology, and behavior.
Table: Nobel laureates Professors at APDRC5
| Name | Field | Nobel Prize Year |
|---|---|---|
| Eric Wieschaus | Developmental Biology | 1995 |
| Michael Rosbash | Chronobiology | 2017 |
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
The IISER system comprises a network of institutions dedicated to science education and research. It was established based on the recommendations made by the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, under the leadership of Professor C.N.R. Rao. In 2013, Professor C.N.R. Rao joined the esteemed ranks of scientists C.V. Raman and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when he received the Bharat Ratna.
Currently, there are seven such institutes located in Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, and Berhampur. Their mission is to create top-tier research centers where teaching and education in fundamental sciences are coupled with state-of-the-art research. These institutions focus on undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in basic sciences, fostering an environment that is intellectually vibrant in terms of research. Among its many programs, IISER shows remarkable strength in Drosophila research throughout India.
