In fruit flies, infection results in increased genetic diversity

New research from North Carolina State University and Reed College shows that when fruit flies are attacked by parasites or bacteria they respond by producing offspring with greater genetic variability. This extra genetic variability may give the offspring an increased chance of survival when faced with the same pathogens. These findings demonstrate that parents may purposefully alter the genotypes of their offspring.

The study was led by BRC faculty member Dr. Nadia Singh, and published in the August 14, 2015 issue of Science.

Image credit: Dahlia Nielsen, NCSU

Link: https://news.ncsu.edu/2015/08/singh-fruit-fly/