The innate immune response, which is responsible for eliminating infectious pathogens from the body, also provides the first line of defense against endogenously derived cancer cells. Currently, the mechanisms that trigger the innate immune process in cancer are unclear. Using a Drosophila model of tumorigenesis, José Pastor-Pareja and colleagues found that tumorigenesis recruits Drosophila immune cells, known as hemocytes, to areas of breaks in the basement membranes surrounding tumor cells, and stimulates an increase in circulating hemocytes resulting in suppressed tumor growth. Using an aseptic wounding technique, they show that tissue damage can activate JNK signaling and induce expression of JAK/STAT-activating cytokines. This fly study demonstrates a conserved and important role for the innate immune system in recognizing the tissue damage associated with tumor formation and suppressing tumor growth.
Call for papers – In Vitro Models of Human Disease to Inform Mechanism and Drug Discovery
We invite you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue: In Vitro Models of Human Disease to Inform Mechanism and Drug Discovery, coordinated by DMM Editor Vivian Li (The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK), alongside Guest Editors Austin Smith (University of Exeter, UK) and Joseph Wu (Stanford University School of Medicine, USA).The deadline for submitting articles is 6 October 2025.
The Company of Biologists Workshops
For the last 15 years, our publisher, The Company of Biologists, has provided an apt environment to inspire biology and support biologists through our Workshops series. Read about the evolution of the Workshop series and revisit JEB's experience with hosting the first Global South Workshop.
Read & Publish Open Access publishing: what authors say
We have had great feedback from authors who have benefitted from our Read & Publish agreement with their institution and have been able to publish Open Access with us without paying an APC. Read what they had to say.
Fast & Fair peer review
Our sister journal Biology Open has recently launched the next phase of their Fast & Fair peer review initiative: offering high-quality peer review within 7 working days. To learn more about BiO’s progress and future plans, read the Editorial by Daniel Gorelick, or visit the Fast & Fair peer review page.
Propose a new Workshop for 2027
We are currently seeking proposals for Workshops to be held in 2027. As one of the scientific organisers of a The Company of Biologists Workshop, your involvement will be focused on interdisciplinary, cutting-edge science and promoting new partnerships and collaborations. We focus on the logistics. Are you thinking about proposing a topic for one of our Workshops? Apply by Friday 30 May 2025.
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