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Updated: Aug 26, 2026
Systemic Bacterial Infection and Immune Defense Phenotypes in Drosophila Melanogaster
Published on: May 13, 2015
Mini-review: defense strategies and immunity-related genes
1Department of Pathology, and Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, GB. jt233@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
Abstract:
The immune system is of crucial importance in defense against infection. It has to cope with a large number of different pathogens that relentlessly develop new ways to avoid recognition or elimination. Yet most infections are cleared. Immune-system genes must evolve to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated evasion by pathogens. In this article we examine features of human defense genes that reflect the demands imposed by such intense selection. Key examples are MHC and KIR genes, where features such as polygeny and polymorphism facilitate the comprehensive logistics needed to counteract infection.
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