LEARNING TO FLY: WHAT THE FRUIT FLY BRAIN CAN TEACH US ABOUT HUMAN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Ageing is the most significant risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The fruit fly, with a strikingly similar brain to our own, has recently emerged as a powerful model for studying human disease. Through genetic modification and state-of-the-art sequencing, we are able to gain unprecedented insight into the brain's reaction to age and neurodegenerative disease. During this course, the teachers will learn about the techniques we are currently using in fruit flies to further our understanding of human neurodegenerative disease.