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More than a nuisance, fruit flies used to study adaptation at WSU Vancouver

Over 5 million fruit flies are raised each year for field research

By Brianna Murschel, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 31, 2025, 6:08am
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5 Photos
Postdoctoral fellow Rene Shahmohamadloo, left, and research technician Amir Gabidulin work in the lab Tuesday at Washington State University Vancouver. The pair are part of assistant professor Seth Rudman’s (not pictured) team that studies insect populations and the process of adaptation.
Postdoctoral fellow Rene Shahmohamadloo, left, and research technician Amir Gabidulin work in the lab Tuesday at Washington State University Vancouver. The pair are part of assistant professor Seth Rudman’s (not pictured) team that studies insect populations and the process of adaptation. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

Most people see fruit flies as a nuisance. A scientist at Washington State University Vancouver sees them as the key to understanding evolution.

Seth Rudman, an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, has raised more than 5 million fruit flies (scientifically known as Drosophila melanogaster) each year.

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