Life

The fruit fly revolutionized biology. Now it’s boosting science in Africa

Researchers across the continent are turning to the humble insects for experiments

A colorized scanning electron microscope image of the heat of a mutant fruit fly two small ectopic eyes in the place of antennae

The fruit fly (a mutant one is shown here in a colorized scanning electron micrograph) is a longtime lab darling of biology.

Eye of Science/Science Source

By Darren Incorvaia

When Amos Abolaji returned to Nigeria from a year abroad, he brought home a strange souvenir — two jars full of fruit flies.

The biochemist had been conducting postdoctoral research at the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil on the health effects of certain pollutants.