Drosophila: An Ideal Model for Research in Biology, for B.Sc. students of Govt. Science College, Hassan

Title: Drosophila: An Ideal Model for Research in Biology, for B.Sc. students of Govt. Science College, Hassan.
Venue: Drosophila&Neurotoxicology Laboratory, DoS in Biochemistry, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Post Graduate Education Centre, PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College(A), Mysuru.

The department organizing the event :

DoS in Biochemistry Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Post Graduate Centre, PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College(A), Mysuru.

Purpose and Scope of the event:

To provide hands on training and knowledge on using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for scientific research. The workshop provided introduction to Drosophila biology, genetics, breeding culturing techniques, behavioral and neurobiological assays. Hands on experience with Drosophila experimentation. Expert lectures, demonstration by resource person, interactive sessions, and group discussions. The Drosophila workshop was a successful event that provided valuable training and knowledge. It showcased the versatility and power of Drosophila as a model organism and inspired new research ideas.

Details of the talk/event/activity

The Workshop was organized on 22 & 23 April 2024.Worksshop started with formal inauguration in the gracious presence of Dr.C.K. Renukarya, Director, Dr. S.R. Ramesh, Faculty members and participants from Government Science Colleges,Hassan. The practical workshop was designed to teach and train students the basics of drosophila and how it can be used as a model organism for research. The main purpose of the drosophila workshop is to experience hands-on learning, where students can gain practical experience, understand genetic principles, and use drosophila as an ideal model organism for teaching genetic principles, developmental biology, interdisciplinary learning etc., The workshop provided a fundamental understanding of drosophila and its use in modern biology through daily lectures, followed by demonstration of these techniques through extended laboratory sessions. The program comprised of two theory a session in the Life Sciences auditorium and the practical session in the Drosophila & Neurotoxicology Laboratory.

The workshop coordinators for the session were Dr. Girish Chandran, Coordinator DoS in Biochemistry and Ms. Rayana Lavitha D’Silva, Assistant Professor, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Post Graduate Education Centre, PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College(A), Mysuru.
In the morning session, Dr. Girish Chandran explained the basic morphology and behaviour of drosophila. The principle and procedure were taught and discussed with students. In the afternoon, a practical session was conducted under the guidance of a resource person. Students performed various assays and the results were obtained accordingly. In the practical session, students were taught to prepare the homogenate for the experiments in a stepwise manner and how to use the drosophila larvae in the experiments and interpret the results obtained.
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A brief profile of the resource persons

Dr. Girish Chandran

Assistant Professor, Coordinator DoS in Biochemistry, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Post Graduate Education Centre, PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College(A), Mysuru.
Qualification: M.Sc., (CSIR-JRF-NET), Ph.D. (Univ. of Mysore), Post Doc (USA)
Areas of Specialization: Drug development, small molecules, peptides, Nutritional interventions, Diet Therapy, quality foods, Neurodegenerative disorders, Pain, Behavioural aspects in Drosophila and Mice, Enzymology, Plant Biochemistry, Diabetes, Migraine, cancer, cross interactions drugs, comorbidity and therapy.
Current Areas of Interest: Diabetes, Migraine, cancer, cross interactions drugs, comorbidity and therapy.

Ms. Rayana Lavitha D Silva

Assistant Professor, DoS in Biochemistry, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Post Graduate Education Centre, PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College(A), Mysuru.
Qualification: M.Sc., (K-SET)
Areas of Interest: Neurodegenerative disorders, Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Analytical techniques.

Target audience and number of participants/ beneficiaries

Target audience was B.Sc. Students, Govt. Science College, Hassan. The 2-day event was also attendedby twofaculty of Govt. Science College, Hassan (total participants: 62).