Unique laboratory “Fly Lab” opens for BiH students at Burch University

Kenan Kraković, a third-year student at the Department of Genetics and Bioengineering at Burch University, designed and initiated the implementation of Fly Lab project, which is of particular importance to BiH students of genetics, biology, and related sciences, as it will enable them high-quality research that does not require great investment which is normally the case in genetics.

“Since the research of the common fruit fly is being done for 100 years, this research field carries a huge scientific community, which we will now join with students from BiH,” said Kenan Kraković.

Research on the common fruit fly or Drosophila melanogaster has yielded 6 Nobel Prizes so far, including discoveries related to embryogenesis, sense of smell, central nervous system development. 70% of the genes that are carriers of the disease can be found in both humans and the fruit fly, which has the potential to benefit humans for the potential prevention and treatment of the disease because experiments are conducted on the fruit fly and not on humans.

“I am happy that the initiative for this project came from our hard-working student Kenan Kraković. For the students, this will be a place where they will be able to make their first scientific steps. I urge them all to take advantage of this unique space in BiH located at International Burch University and begin a scientific adventure, ”said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mersid Poturak, Rector of International Burch University, adding that Burch University will continue to support the ideas of students because in this way we also contribute to the development of science in BiH.

By signing this agreement, the Association of Biology Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina opens the door to all its members and gives them the opportunity to improve their knowledge through practice, which is crucial for them.

 “We are very grateful and honored to be able to say that we are partners in this project initiated by a Burch student but a member of our Association and that we have this unique collaboration. We are aware of our students’ potential and their desire to advance their knowledge and science in BiH, “said Monika Šafhauzer, the president of the Association of Biology Students in BiH, adding that the collaboration is based on the” Fly Lab “project, but it will not end there.

The Association of Biology Students in BiH is a non-governmental organization whose members are undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in the field of biology and other related sciences, with the aim of connecting students from all BiH universities with universities around the world, through education and professional development.