Exploring innate immunity through the lens of fruit fly models

This dialogue features Nobel laureate Professor Jules A Hoffmann and his colleagues from the Sino-French Hoffmann Institute (SFHI), including senior professors Dominique Ferrandon, Jean-Luc Imler, Renjie Jiao, and young researchers Di Chen, Hua Cai, and Chuanxian Wei. Focused on the theme “Exploring innate immunity through the lens of Drosophila models,” the dialogue delves into the fascinating world of innate immunity, using fruit flies as a model organism. The discussion highlights how fruit flies, which rely solely on their innate immune system, have provided key insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune recognition and response across various fields, including antibacterial/antifungal immunity, antiviral defense, and cancer immunology. The dialogue also covers historical milestones in the study of innate immunity, current research trends, new tools, and the challenges and opportunities for future investigations in this rapidly advancing field. This dialogue emphasizes the fruit fly’s enduring role in immunology, bridging foundational discoveries with cutting-edge applications in health and disease.