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100 years of Drosophila research and its impact on vertebrate neuroscience: a history lesson for the future

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 11, pages 514–522 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

Discoveries in fruit flies have greatly contributed to our understanding of neuroscience. The use of an unparalleled wealth of tools, many of which originated between 1910–1960, has enabled milestone discoveries in nervous system development and function. Such findings have triggered and guided many research efforts in vertebrate neuroscience. After 100 years, fruit flies continue to be the choice model system for many neuroscientists. The combinational use of powerful research tools will ensure that this model organism will continue to lead to key discoveries that will impact vertebrate neuroscience.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank B. Ganetzky, S. Yamamoto, M. Rasband, N. Giagtzoglou, M. Xue, J. Kiger, H. Dierick, K. Cook, K. Schulze and B. Hassan for reading the manuscript. We apologize to all our colleagues whose work was not cited because of space constraints. HJB is an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HT is supported by the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association and CT is supported by a T32 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders.

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  1. and is at the Department of Neuroscience, Hugo J. Bellen is Director of the the Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,

    Hugo J. Bellen

  2. Chao Tong and Hiroshi Tsuda are at the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Hugo J. Bellen, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,

    Hugo J. Bellen, Chao Tong & Hiroshi Tsuda

  3. Hugo J. Bellen and Hiroshi Tsuda are at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,

    Hugo J. Bellen & Hiroshi Tsuda

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familial advanced sleep phase syndrome

hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type IIC

LQT syndrome

mucolipidosis type IV disease

Parkinson's disease

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Bellen, H., Tong, C. & Tsuda, H. 100 years of Drosophila research and its impact on vertebrate neuroscience: a history lesson for the future. Nat Rev Neurosci 11, 514–522 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2839

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