In Focus

05 December 2008 04:07 BST

Fruitful 3D

3D images of fruit flies could help scientists learn more about the human brain and how disease affects it.

Researchers from the Medical Research Council's (MRC) human genetics unit developed the 3D images in order to investigate flies' fragile heads and brains as previous methods proved laborious and complicated.

Fruit flies are useful for research into human diseases as the insect shares many genes with similar functions to humans.

As such as the researchers hope the new images will help to speed up genetic research into Alzheimer's and other human diseases which affect brain cells.

Lead researcher Dr Mary O'Connell said: "Neurodegeneration, the gradual loss of function of brain cells that occurs in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone diseases, isn't a strictly human phenomenon.

"Insects are affected by it too. In the autumn, bees and wasps often develop erratic behaviour before they die."

The 3D images, will enable researchers to analyse fruit fly brain changes without the risk of damaging tissue through dissection.

In particular the scientists are hopeful they will be able to identify the genes that control parts of the central nervous system and brain.

Dr O'Connell added that as well as helping brain research, the images could hold promise for the treatment of other diseases.

"This research is not simply limited to the study of conditions like Alzheimer's but can also be used to study fly anatomy," she said.

"The shape and size of organs can be affected by diseases like diabetes so imaging may yield clues to further our understanding of other conditions too."