ARTICLES
Stimulus Material for depth studies, courtesy of Macquarie University (continued)
What fly guts could reveal about our health
Two studies, co-authored by Macquarie University’s Dr Fleur Ponton and Dr Juliano Morimoto (Biological Sciences),
reveal that gut bacteria composition affects nutritional choices as well as reproduction using common fruit flies as
a model system.
The discoveries provide an exciting illustration into how microbes in the gut can influence host animals, which
could be important for understanding the effects of the gut microbiota on physiology and cognitive function in
humans in the future. The research also has potentially interesting applications in invasive and pest species
control.
Macquarie University has a long history in pest control and hosts the ARC Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation.
Find out more
Syllabus links: Biology Module 8: Non-infectious disease: Inquiry question: How can non-infectious diseases be
prevented?
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING
18
SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 3