Drosophila Oogenesis: An Elegant Model System in Cell and Developmental Biology

Oogenesis in Drosophila was initially studied as a model system to investigate the patterning of embryonic axis, however, it has since become a powerful model system for investigating various aspects of cellular, molecular and developmental biology. Oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster is a complex developmental process which involves extensive cellular remodeling and communication [1-3]. The entire process of oogenesis occurs within Drosophila ovary which harbors 16 to 20 long tube-like structures known as ovarioles. These ovarioles are held together by an enveloping peritoneal sheath consists of a network of muscle fibers. Each ovariole represents an individual linear array of egg assembly, with younger egg chambers near the anterior and a series of progressively older egg chambers towards posterior end. Egg chamber, the functional unit of oogenesis is produced in the germarium which localizes at the anterior-most region of the ovariole. The development of the egg chamber in each ovariole has been subdivided into a series of 14 consecutive stages and the approximate age of an egg chamber can be determined by morphological features [1].