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2013 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

The Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster as a Model for Aging Research

Authors : Annely Brandt, Andreas Vilcinskas

Published in: Yellow Biotechnology I

Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

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Abstract

Average human life expectancy is increasing and so is the impact on society of aging and age-related diseases. Here we highlight recent advances in the diverse and multidisciplinary field of aging research, focusing on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, an excellent model system in which to dissect the genetic and molecular basis of the aging processes. The conservation of human disease genes in D. melanogaster allows the functional analysis of orthologues implicated in human aging and age-related diseases. D. melanogaster models have been developed for a variety of age-related processes and disorders, including stem cell decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular deterioration. Understanding the detailed molecular events involved in normal aging and age-related diseases could facilitate the development of strategies and treatments that reduce their impact, thus improving human health and increasing longevity.

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Title: The Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster as a Model for Aging Research
Authors: Annely Brandt
Andreas Vilcinskas
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Book: Yellow Biotechnology I
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-39862-9

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-642-39863-6

Copyright Year: 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/10_2013_193