Research Focus
The Bodmer Laboratory is investigating in the cellular and molecular basis of heart development and function using the Drosophila melanogaster model system.
One focus of our research concerns how cells and tissue types assume their correct fates during embryogenesis, how patterns are generated and the molecular mechanisms underlying organ formation.
A main area of research focuses on adult heart function. We have developed a number of tools that allow us to analyze heart function in the fly and are using these tools to investigate the effects of genetic mutations, aging, sleep, hypoxia and diet on heart performance.
Space Flies returned to Earth from the International Space Station on 5/18/14. Read more about our Space Flies Series, our research on the effects of microgravity on cardiac function!
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