The use of insect models to study human pathogens

The in vivo analysis of disease causing pathogens is a crucial step in attaining a greater understanding of both host–pathogen interactions and pathogen biology. The past decade has seen a marked increase in the number of investigators developing insect paradigms as a means of studying pathogenic micro-organisms. Here we review the rationale behind insect model development and summarise recent advances in the field.

Section editor:Trevor Trust – AstraZeneca R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, MA 02451, USA