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Identification of new IMD track regulators

A long activation of the IMD pathway, especially in the gut of Drosophila, negatively impacts their life expectancy (Bonnay et al., 2013). This echoes the deleterious effect of chronic inflammatory diseases seen in humans. Many negative regulators of the IMD pathway exist and appear to have two types of functions: i) rapidly terminate activation of the pathway and prevent the deleterious effects of prolonged activation; ii) allow a relative tolerance towards the endogenous intestinal flora.

The null mutation of the big bang gene causes chronic inflammation of the gut (Diptericin-LacZ) and premature death of Drosophila.

By RNAi screening approaches in Drosophila cells, we seek to characterize new modulators of the IMD pathway. When the identified genes are conserved, we assess their role in regulating the inflammatory response in mammals.