A Drosophila Training Package

Big Fly

A Basic Training Package for Drosophila Genetics

This four-part training package was developed by John Roote in our Fly Facility and Andreas Prokop at the University of Manchester Fly Facility. It is believed to be the first of its kind and its significance is described in the links below:
The training package consists of:
  • A training manual that introduces key topics including some history of fly research, fly handling, mating schemes, balancer chromosomes and markers, and transgenic technologies. 
  • A practical training session on identifying gender and markers that involves handling real flies under a dissecting microscope.
  • A self-study PowerPoint presentation that guides trainees step-by-step through a Drosophila mating scheme.
  • An opportunity for trainees to design mating schemes reflecting routine tasks in a fly laboratory.

 The Training Package was described in a paper in G3 journal (Roote J, Prokop A. G3 (Bethesda). 2013 Feb;3(2):353-8). Links to the paper and supplementary material are below: