Improving the preservation of fruit fly embryos for biomedical research
Official title: Resources for Drosophila embryo cryopreservation at lab and stock center scale
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11003714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a way to safely freeze and store fruit fly embryos, which are important for research on diseases like cancer and genetic disorders, so that labs can keep using them for their studies without needing fancy equipment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $603,978 |
| NIH project number | 5R24OD034063-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003714 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include researchers and laboratories working with Drosophila models in biomedical studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in biomedical research or do not utilize Drosophila as a model organism may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and standardizing methods for the cryopreservation of Drosophila melanogaster embryos, which are widely used in biomedical studies. The team has already created a successful protocol that allows for the long-term storage of these embryos without the need for specialized equipment. By ensuring that these valuable genetic resources can be preserved effectively, the research aims to support ongoing studies in various diseases, including cancers and genetic disorders. The project will also involve creating resources to help labs and stock centers implement these methods efficiently.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the availability and reliability of Drosophila stocks for biomedical research, leading to better understanding and treatment of various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in cryopreservation techniques for other biological specimens, indicating potential for similar advancements in Drosophila preservation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bischof, John C — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Bischof, John C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.