A study published in the journal Nature by the National Institute for Medical Research discusses scientists that have discovered the cells responsible for breaking down fat in the Drosophila fly. It has been found that this process is similar to that used by humans which increases the prospect that studying it could help speed up the development of new drugs.

Many of the important steps in metabolising fat molecules and converting them into energy take place within the liver. However, when the balance of fat build-up and break-down in the liver goes awry - often as a direct result of obesity - it can lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Studying the fruit flies may help speed up the research of new drugs in relation to diseases such as diabetes.

Source : BBC News
Date : 11/03/2007

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