Research Group Overview

UNHAS Fly Research Group (UFRG) is a dedicated team of researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University (Makassar, Indonesia) that make use of Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to carry out research in the field of pharmacy and biomedical sciences. 

Research Themes

Our research focuses on several key areas:

Investigation of Cellular and Molecular Events: We are committed to investigating cellular and molecular events that have significant biological and medical implications for humans. Through our work with Drosophila and other model systems, we aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these processes.

Research on Host Defense Mechanisms: We investigate host defense responses against various pathogens using Drosophila. Our focus is on uncovering molecular pathways involved in immune responses, including mechanisms of sterile-mediated immune activation in metazoan species.

Establishment of Human Disease Models Using Drosophila: By leveraging the genetic and biological similarities between fruit flies and humans, we aim to create Drosophila models that replicate key aspects of various human diseases. This approach is crucial for advancing our understanding of disease pathology and accelerating the development of new treatments.

Development of In Vivo Screening Platforms: We aim to establish rapid and efficient in vivo platforms using Drosophila melanogaster to screen for pharmacological activities of drug candidates. This will accelerate the identification of promising therapeutic compounds for further investigation.

Exploration of Uncharted Pharmacological Effects: Our research seeks to investigate the uncharted pharmacological effects of drug candidates, offering crucial insights before their evaluation in mammalian systems. This early-stage exploration is essential for identifying therapeutic benefits, a key factor in drug repurposing.

Research Roadmap