Long-Lived Drosophila Customization Services

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has a 100-year-long history as an important model organism for studies on genetics and molecular biology. Due to genetic similarity with humans, this model has been instrumental in uncovering fundamental mechanisms of aging and longevity and has important applications in various areas of biological research. Many of the molecular pathways that regulate aging in D. melanogaster are conserved in higher organisms, including mammals. This conservation suggests that insights gained from studying the fruit fly can be relevant to human aging and longevity.

At CD BioSciences, our team of seasoned biological experts offers long-lived Drosophila customization services, enabling clients to make discoveries that can inform human health and longevity.

Customization Methods for Long-Lived Drosophila

Dietary interventions

One of the most well-established approaches to extending D. melanogaster lifespan is dietary restriction (DR). Our team of experts can fine-tune the degree of caloric restriction to strike the optimal balance between an extended lifespan and maintained healthy fertility. We keep control and experimental flies on two different types of food medium, which are isocaloriс and consist of the same components, but different in protein-carbohydrate contents.

Environmental manipulates

We have developed solutions to control and optimize the living conditions of D. melanogaster. We maintain fruit flies at cooler temperatures to increase their lifespan. Our temperature-controlled incubators and chambers ensure a stable and optimal environment to extend D. melanogaster lifespan. Additionally, we maintain experimental fruit flies under continuous darkness (DD) and controls in normal light conditions to help clients assess the effect of constant darkness on lifespan.

Genetic modifications

At the core of our customization services, CD BioSciences offers a comprehensive suite of genetic engineering tools to increase Drosophila lifespan through targeted manipulations. By overexpressing key genes involved in stress response, such as hsp70 (encoding the heat shock protein 70), MnSOD (producing the superoxide dismutase), and mei-41 (involved in DNA repair), we can boost the flies' defenses against age-related decline and extend their lifespan. We also disrupt the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway, including the hormone receptor Dts3 and the insulin receptor (InR), Chico (which is the substrate of InR), and the transcription factor dFOXO, leading to lifespan extension.

Molecular Mechanisms Analysis Services for Long-Lived Drosophila

Analysis of retrotransposon activity

Using advanced next-generation sequencing techniques, our scientists at CD BioSciences can precisely quantify the abundance and distribution of various retrotransposon families within the fruit fly genome over the lifespan of the organism. By comparing the retrotransposon profiles of long and short-lived fly lines, we can identify specific retrotransposon signatures associated with exceptional longevity.

Transcriptome analysis

Employing RNA sequencing techniques, our team at CD BioSciences can provide a comprehensive understanding of the transcriptional landscape of our genetically engineered D. melanogaster with an extended lifespan. Our services allow clients to identify key longevity-associated genes and elucidate the dynamic changes in gene expression profiles that contribute to exceptional lifespan phenotypes.

At CD BioSciences, our comprehensive suite of animal model customization services empowers our clients to unlock the true longevity potential of D. melanogaster. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.

References

1. Taormina G, et al. Longevity: Lesson from Model Organisms. Genes (Basel), 2019, 10 (7): 518.
2. Shaposhnikov MV, et al. Molecular mechanisms of exceptional lifespan increase of Drosophila melanogaster with different genotypes after combinations of pro-longevity interventions. Commun Biol, 2022, 5 (1): 566.