The 14th European Drosophila Population Genomics Consortium (DrosEU) Workshop and 10th Anniversary Celebration took place from 8 to 10 April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. The event brought together researchers from across Europe and beyond to share new insights, discuss ongoing projects, and celebrate a decade of collaborative research in Drosophila evolution, genomics, and ecology.
The meeting was held at the Ramon y Cajal Room (PRBB, C/Dr. Aiguadé 88) and C/Perill 44, with remote participation available via Zoom. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in scientific talks, working group updates, and interactive sessions that reflected the diversity and strength of the DrosEU community.
The workshop featured:
- Updates from DrosEU working groups, including DEST_v2, Phenotyping, D. suzukii, Microbiome, and Sampling.
- Short talks from consortium members presenting recent research on adaptation, genetic variation, and experimental evolution.
- A keynote lecture by Michael Nachman (University of Arizona) titled “The genomic basis of environmental adaptation in house mice.”
- A business meeting to discuss consortium progress and future plans.
- A 10th anniversary celebration and a science-and-art event organized with La Ciencia Al Teu Món.
Monday, 8 April 2024
Ramon y Cajal Room, PRBB – C/Dr. Aiguadé 88, Barcelona
The workshop opened with a welcome by Pepi González and Thomas Flatt, followed by several working group updates:
- DEST_v2 – Marta Coronado (González Lab) & Joaquin Núñez
- Phenotyping – Thomas Flatt
- Sequencing of phenotyped strains – Sid Murali (Posnien Lab)
Participants then enjoyed a series of short scientific talks:
- Margot Paris – Unravelling how balancing selection maintains inversion polymorphism
- Stewart Leigh – ppk6 as a target of sexual selection in D. pseudoobscura
- Julia Beets – FlyCADD: A prediction tool on the impact of SNVs in D. melanogaster
- Robert Kofler – History of transposable element invasions in D. melanogaster
- Ana Ferretti – Interference of B chromosomes in D. melanogaster gene and TE expression
- Fernando Casares – Fragility of developmental mechanisms
After lunch, Mathieu Gautier and Louise Camus (Gautier Lab) presented an update on the D. suzukii working group, followed by more member talks:
- Alan Bergland – Balancing selection and shared polymorphism in cryptic Daphnia species
- Svitlana Serga – Impact of host and Wolbachia genetics on cytoplasmic incompatibility in D. suzukii
- Julián Mensch, Nina Saroka & Lucas Kreiman – Overwintering biology of Drosophila species in South America
- Judit Gago – Recombination rate and genome adaptation in D. simulans
- Nico Posnien – A role of apoptosis in natural variation in compound eye size in D. melanogaster
The afternoon continued with talks by:
Nicolas Rode – Structure and transmission of the microbial community of D. suzukii
- Simon Boitard – Genetic basis of adaptation to host fruit in D. suzukii: early E&R results
- Bahar Patlar & R. Axel W. Wiberg – Environmental associations with genetic variation in seminal fluid proteins
- Luis Castañeda – The genetic basis of the thermal tolerance landscape in D. melanogaster
The first day concluded with a convivial dinner at Restaurant Ciutadella near the Parc de la Ciutadella.
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Ramon y Cajal Room, PRBB – C/Dr. Aiguadé 88, Barcelona
The second day began with additional short presentations:
- Paul Schmidt – Impact of migration on rapid adaptation in D. melanogaster
- Jan Hrček – Connections between maintenance of species diversity and genetic variation
- Iryna Kozeretska – Absence or low prevalence of Wolbachia in Antarctica?
After a coffee break, Katja Hoedjes presented an update on the Sampling Working Group, followed by two more short talks:
- Emma Whittington – Omics of ejaculate–female interactions and reproductive isolation
- Joaquin Núñez – Temperature-dependent feeding preferences and overwintering survival
- The highlight of the morning was the invited lecture by Michael Nachman (University of Arizona) on “The genomic basis of environmental adaptation in house mice.”
In the afternoon, Oleksandr Maistrenko presented the Microbiome Working Group update, followed by the final research talks:
- Martin Kapun & Sonja Steindl – Filling the gaps & Flies in the city
- Marta Coronado-Zamora – Context-dependent epigenetic effects of transposable elements
The day concluded with the DrosEU Business Meeting, where members discussed consortium developments and future goals.
In the evening, participants gathered for the 10th Anniversary Celebration, featuring cava, non-alcoholic beverages, “carquinyolis,” and cookies — a toast to DrosEU’s first decade of scientific collaboration.
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
C/Perill 44, 08012 Barcelona
The final day combined science, culture, and art. Participants joined a guided walk through historical sites in the Gràcia neighborhood, followed by a festive Calçotada lunch co-organized with the 44 Perills: Art and Sound Association.
In the afternoon, the “Science and Music: Sharing Notes” event brought together DrosEU researchers and local artists in a dynamic dialogue between science and art — a “Late Night Show”–style performance with live jazz. Organized by La Ciencia Al Teu Món, this session explored creativity and experimentation across disciplines.
The celebration concluded with a bar service and music session featuring the DrosEU Playlist, closing the workshop in a lively and collaborative atmosphere.
The 14th DrosEU Workshop and 10th Anniversary Celebration successfully combined scientific exchange, community building, and cultural exploration — marking both a milestone in the consortium’s history and a springboard for its future initiatives.
