Drosophila Melanogaster

Drosophila Melanogaster or ‘fruit flies’ are vital for genetic research and have been used by scientists for almost a century. Their fast breeding habits - a generation a fortnight – and certain features of their genome, make them ideal laboratory subjects. Millions of fruit flies the world over are helping scientists study the way genetic characters are inherited and how mutations occur and develop.

All these captive populations have to be housed, warmed and of course fed with a specially prepared food. Cambridge University genetics department has chosen to use Watson-Marlow Bredel peristaltic pumps to assist in portion control for their Drosophila Melanogaster.