Fruit Fly Model Customization Services for Aging Research

As human life expectancy increases, so does the impact of aging and age-related diseases on society. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model system in which the genetic and cellular basis of important biological processes such as aging can be dissected, allowing the parallel mechanisms in vertebrates to be deciphered. Understanding the details of the molecular events involved in the aging process will eventually help to reduce the impact of age-related diseases, thus improving human health and increasing longevity.

Fig. 1 Overview of the physiological and genetic factors that dictate Drosophila aging. (Piper MDW, Partridge L, 2018)

At CD BioSciences, we have decades of experience in leveraging the power of fruit fly models to advance the frontiers of aging research. We provide a complete series of services to assist clients in customizing fruit fly models for aging research.

Fruit Fly Model Customization Options for Aging Research

Fruit fly species selection

At CD BioSciences, we maintain a diverse collection of Drosophila species, allowing us to tailor our offerings to the specific needs of our clients. Whether you require the classic D. melanogaster or the larger D. virilis, our team of experts can help you select the optimal model organism for your research goals.

Modeling aging in fruit flies by genetic modifications

We utilize established methods for the introduction of transgenes into the fruit fly genome. Our techniques allow for the stable expression of genes of interest, enabling the investigation of their role in various biological processes. Additionally, our experts are well-versed in the use of RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR/Cas9 technology to selectively silence or completely knock down the expression of target genes in fruit fly models.

Analysis of lifespan and age-related phenotypes

We offer standardized lifespan assays, including measuring median and maximum lifespan, as well as providing detailed survival curves for experimental fruit fly cohorts under different conditions. Our services involve comprehensive assessments of age-related changes in fruit flies, such as locomotor activity, stress resistance, reproductive capacity, and physiological markers such as metabolic rate or oxidative damage.

Dietary interventions

Fruit fly models offer a powerful platform for investigating the effects of caloric restriction, nutrient supplementation, and other dietary interventions. Our team of experts can help clients design and implement customized diets, enabling them to uncover the mechanisms by which specific dietary components influence longevity and healthspan.

Applications of Fruit Fly Models in Aging-Related Diseases

Alzheimer's disease

We help clients create fruit fly models expressing key proteins in Alzheimer's diseases, such as amyloid-beta and tau, and monitor the progression of age-dependent neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Leveraging these customized fruit fly models, our services help clients develop new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

Age-related cardiovascular diseases

We offer tailored fruit fly models that exhibit hallmarks of cardiac aging, including impaired contractility, arrhythmias, and structural remodeling. By studying these models, our clients can understand the roles of gene expression, metabolic pathways, and inflammation in the development of age-related cardiovascular dysfunction.

Applications of Fruit Fly Models in Anti-Aging Drug Discovery

We leverage our expertise in the genetics and physiology of fruit flies to offer high-throughput screening platforms for the identification of compounds that can extend lifespan and improve healthspan. Our team of scientists can customize fruit fly models that have been genetically modified to overexpress or knock down specific aging-related genes, allowing clients to dissect the molecular pathways targeted by the candidate compounds. Our clients utilize these customized fruit fly models to evaluate the effects of various pharmacological interventions, from caloric restriction mimetics to anti-aging drugs.

At CD BioSciences, our commitment to innovation and scientific excellence is reflected in our ability to tailor fruit fly models to the specific needs of our clients. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.

References

1. Piper MDW, Partridge L. Drosophila as a model for aging. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis, 2018, 1864: 2707-2717.
2. Brandt A, Vilcinskas A. The Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster as a Model for Aging Research. Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol, 2013, 135: 63-77.