Annual Drosophila Research Conference (DORS)

The Annual Drosophila Research Conference, often referred to informally as “the fly meeting,” is the flagship international gathering for scientists who use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to uncover fundamental biological principles. Sponsored by the Genetics Society of America, this conference has been held annually since 1958 and regularly draws well over a thousand geneticists, developmental biologists, neuroscientists, and molecular biologists from around the world. Researchers present cutting‑edge findings on topics ranging from gene regulation, embryogenesis, and cell signaling to behavior, aging, and disease models. In addition to formal presentations and poster sessions, the conference features award lectures, professional development workshops, and networking opportunities that help cultivate collaborations across institutions and career stages. Drosophila models have been instrumental in elucidating conserved genetic pathways and mechanisms relevant to human health and disease, making this conference a critical venue for advancing both basic research and translational insights across the life sciences.