The Need: Advancing Drosophila Cell Culture for Biological Research

In biological research, the analysis of cells in culture has been pivotal in advancing our understanding of various biological processes. However, the underdeveloped state of Drosophila cell culture has presented a challenge, as there has been no general genetic method for deriving new cell lines. Addressing this need is crucial to harnessing the full potential of Drosophila as a model organism for cell-based studies.

The Technology: Deriving Drosophila Cell Lines with RasV12

Our groundbreaking technology involves the expression of the conserved oncogene RasV12, a constitutively activated form of Ras, to profoundly influence the development of primary Drosophila cell cultures derived from embryos. This results in the establishment of continuous cell lines of a specific genotype, revolutionizing the field of Drosophila cell culture. These cell lines can undergo more than 90 population doublings, providing researchers with an invaluable resource for studying various genetic characteristics and biological phenomena.

Commercial Applications:

• Genetic Research: Our technology enables researchers to derive Drosophila cell lines of specific genotypes, facilitating the study of gene functions, interactions, and their effects on cellular processes.
• Drug Screening: Continuous cell lines generated through our technology can be utilized in high-throughput screening of pharmaceutical compounds, allowing for efficient drug discovery and development.
• Disease Modeling: With the ability to establish cell lines with specific genetic traits, our technology paves the way for creating accurate disease models, aiding in the investigation of disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Benefits/Advantages:

• Enhanced Proliferation: Expression of RasV12 significantly promotes the proliferation of Drosophila primary culture cells, enabling the rapid establishment of confluent and continuous cell lines.
• Customizable Genotypes: Researchers can now create Drosophila cell lines of a specific genotype, providing a tailored approach for studying genetic and cellular processes of interest.
• Tetraploidy Checkpoint Insight: The ability to derive polyploid cell lines through targeted gene manipulation sheds light on the role of the mammalian warts (wts) tumor suppressor gene counterparts in the tetraploidy checkpoint.

Our technology opens up new possibilities for Drosophila cell culture research, empowering scientists to explore genetic mechanisms, conduct drug screenings, and model diseases more effectively. By advancing the capabilities of Drosophila cell culture, we aim to accelerate biological research and drive innovation in the life sciences industry.