The Use of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) as an In Vivo Model Organism in the Toxicity and Genotoxicity Studies of Nanomaterials

Year 2016, Year: 2016 Issue: 1, 1 - 11, 01.02.2016

Eşref Demir

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster has been used as an in vivo useful model organism for the study of the potential toxicity and genotoxicity risks associated with nanomaterials (NMs) exposure since many years. NMs are described as particles which have maximum 100 nm or less than 100 nm size and and novel physico-chemical properties due to the order of their extent. Recently, together with developed technology advances in nanotechnology have led to an increase in the production of NMs. Today, there is growing concern about the potential side effects of these substances on human health. Drosophila extensively used genetic researches, have provided powerful system at investigation of human genetic diseases. Drosophila as a model organism shows similar aspects about a lot of human systems. The purpose of this review is to create awareness about the possible mechanisms and potentially toxic/genotoxic effects on D. melanogaster of different NMs widely used in many industrial areas and biology.

Keywords

Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), nanomaterials, nanogenotoxicology, risk assessment, toxicity, in vivo model organism