Dharwad Fruit Flies Set to Join Gaganyaan Mission for Space Experiment
Dharwad’s fruit flies are set to make a remarkable journey into space as part of the Gaganyaan manned mission, scheduled for next year. These flies, scientifically known as Drosophila melanogaster, have been developed by the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad.
Despite their small size, fruit flies are instrumental in space research due to their genetic similarities with humans. They share about 77% of the genes responsible for diseases in humans, making them valuable for studying kidney stone formation in space. Astronauts are known to face a heightened risk of developing kidney stones due to factors like increased calcium excretion from bone loss, higher urine acidity, and dietary changes.
“Fruit flies are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind kidney stone formation in space,” explained Ravi Kumar Hosmani, Assistant Professor at UAS. “This experiment will contribute to improved treatments for astronauts, particularly those from India.”
The experiment involves sending adult fruit flies to space, where they are expected to develop kidney stones. Upon their return, the flies will be dissected to study the malpighian tubules, which are functionally similar to human kidneys. The research, costing approximately ₹78 lakh, will use a specialized kit being developed by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, to house the flies during the mission.
Both male and female flies will be part of the study, and the mission will ensure they are fed a special diet of sodium oxalate, ethylene glycol, and hydroxy L-proline to induce kidney stones. The Gaganyaan mission will see the crewed spacecraft and its payload, including the fruit flies, return to Earth and land in the Indian Ocean.
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