Ibadan, Nigeria, 15-26 June 2026 – next generation neuroscience and cancer researchers are in Nigeria for an intensive international training programme that puts one of science’s most powerful model organisms in the spotlight: the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.
The ICGEB–DRTC FLY–NEUROCAN Workshop: Frontiers in Drosophila Research for Neurodegeneration and Cancer brings together scientists from across the globe for a 10-day immersive experience combining advanced theory, practical laboratory training, and translational research. Hosted by the Drosophila Research and Training Centre (DRTC) in Ibadan, the workshop is designed to accelerate research into some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Participants have chosen between two specialised tracks: Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer Biology, gaining hands-on experience in disease modelling, genetic manipulation, advanced imaging, molecular assays, data analysis, and omics technologies. The programme will also explore how discoveries in fruit flies can drive clinical insights into conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and cancer.
The workshop welcomes 30 scientists for in-person training – 15 in each thematic track – while hybrid theoretical sessions are expected to engage more than 300 participants worldwide. To support international participation, ICGEB is providing grants to cover accommodation, meals, and training costs for selected participants from Nigeria and other ICGEB Member States.
Led by Amos Abolaji (DRTC, Nigeria), with co-organisers Emanuele Buratti (ICGEB Trieste, Italy), Alexander Whitworth (University of Cambridge, UK), and Ross Cagan (University of Glasgow, UK), the initiative highlights growing international collaboration in biomedical research and capacity building across Africa.
As neurodegenerative diseases and cancer continue to pose global health challenges, the workshop aims to equip researchers with the tools, techniques, and networks needed to drive future breakthroughs, from the laboratory bench to real-world impact.
A highlight of the week came on Thursday morning with the arrival of a confocal microscope donated by ICGEB Trieste, a significant boost to advanced biomedical research and training capacity in the institute. The delivery of this powerful imaging system marks more than the arrival of new equipment – it represents a tangible investment in scientific excellence, international collaboration, and the development of local research infrastructure.
The microscope will provide opportunities for high-resolution imaging, hands-on training, and cutting-edge discoveries, leaving a lasting legacy that extends well beyond the workshop itself.
Week 2 continues with great coverage of speakers, participants, and events by the Drosophila Research and Training Centre.
