The common fruit fly and human beings may look nothing alike but appearances can be deceiving. The two species not only share around 70% of the same disease-causing genes but they also have many of the same major organs. This similarity, combined with the flies' brief life-spans and ability to reproduce quickly, make them invaluable for scientists studying genetics and diseases…Dr Michael F Romero, from the Mayo Clinic, collaborated with the research and found a way to slow down kidney stone formation by blocking the gene responsible for transporting oxalate. He believed that with further testing this could be used to treat humans.

BBC   3/22/12

Tags: disease-causing genes, Dr. Michael Romero, fruit flies, Genomics, Research