A five-day National Hands-on Workshop on ‘Drosophila: Teaching and Research Model’ commenced today at the Central University of Kerala, organized by the Department of Zoology. Prof. Vincent Mathew, Vice Chancellor (i/c) of CUK, inaugurated the event. During the inaugural session, the Workshop Book was also released.

The inaugural session also featured an engaging address by Prof. H.A. Ranganath from the Centre for Human Genetics, Bangalore, who highlighted the importance of Drosophila, often referred to as the ‘Cinderella of Genetics’, as a powerful biological model system.

Dr. Indrashis Bhattacharya, Head of the Department of Zoology, welcomed the gathering, while Dr. H.P. Gurushankara, the workshop organizer, introduced the dignitaries and outlined the event's agenda. The session was presided over by Prof. K. Arunkumar, Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, who inspired the audience with his address. Felicitations were offered by Prof. V. Vasudev from the University of Mysore. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. P.A. Sinu, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, participants, and the organizing team for their contributions to the event's success. The workshop, spanning five days, will run until January 24, 2025. It has attracted participation from faculty members, post-doctoral researchers, PhD scholars, and postgraduate students from institutions across the country.