The Bomanin gene family encodes a group of immune peptides that are essential for Drosophila fruit fly defence against infection by many pathogens.

[1][2] The gene family is named in honour of Hans G. Boman, for his contributions to innate immunity and the discovery of antimicrobial peptides.

[1] While Bomanins are essential for survival after infection by many kinds of Gram-positive bacteria and pathogenic fungi, the reason they are key to defence may be because Bomanins promote resilience to pathogen toxins, and not because they directly suppress pathogens.

[3] However fly hemolymph (blood) loses its fungicidal activity in the absence of Bomanins, suggesting these peptides are also somehow needed to turn the hemolymph into an antimicrobial environment.

[4]