Kenny Inspired Fruit Fly Gene

A University of Strasbourg scientist named Sophie Rutschmann discovered that adult fruit flies with a faulty immune-system gene died within two days of infection by certain bacteria. She named the gene "Kenny" after the South Park character who repeatedly died in the show's early episodes. Also known as NEMO or IKK gamma, the gene normally works with another gene called Relish as part of the fly's immune response.

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