# Jules A. Hoffmann

_French biologist_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/jules-a-hoffmann
Last updated: 2026-10-31

> Jules Alphonse Nicolas Hoffmann (French pronunciation: [ʒyl ɔfman]; born 2 August 1941) is a  Luxembourgish-French biologist. During his youth, growing up in Luxembourg, he developed a strong interest in insects under the influence of his father, Jos Hoffmann. This eventually resulted in the younger Hoffmann's dedication to the field of biology using insects as model organisms. He currently holds a faculty position at the University of Strasbourg. He is a research director and member of the board of administrators of the National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) in Strasbourg, France. He was elected to the positions of Vice-President (2005–2006) and President (2007–2008) of the French Academy of Sciences. Hoffmann and Bruce Beutler were jointly awarded a half share of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "their discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity".

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 2 August 1941 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Echternach ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P19))
- **Citizenship:** France; Luxembourg ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P27))
- **Occupation:** biologist; immunologist; physician; university teacher; researcher ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P106))
- **Education:** University of Strasbourg; University of Marburg; Lycée de garçons Luxembourg ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P69))
- **Official website:** www-ibmc.u-strasbg.fr/ridi/profil.php?equipe_id=10 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P856))
- **Positions held:** Member of the Académie française (since 1 March 2012); president of the French Academy of Sciences (1 January 2007 – 31 December 2008) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P39))
- **Awards:** CNRS Gold medal; Balzan Prize; Keio Medical Science Prize; Canada Gairdner International Award; Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; William B. Coley Award; Gay-Lussac-Humboldt-Prize; Rosenstiel Award; Robert Koch Prize; Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine; Grand Officer of the Order of the Oak Crown; Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star; Commander of the National Order of Merit; Clarivate Citation Laureates; Commander of the Legion of Honour ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605#P166))

## About

Hoffmann and Bruno Lemaitre discovered the function of the fruit fly Toll gene in innate immunity. Its mammalian homologs, the Toll-like receptors, were discovered by Beutler. Toll-like receptors identify constituents of other organisms like fungi and bacteria, and trigger an immune response, explaining, for example, how septic shock can be triggered by bacterial remains.

In 2012, Hoffman was appointed as an Honorary Professor in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.

## Questions

**When was Jules A. Hoffmann born?**  
Jules A. Hoffmann was born on 2 August 1941 in Echternach.

**What positions has Jules A. Hoffmann held?**  
Positions held by Jules A. Hoffmann include: Member of the Académie française (since 1 March 2012); president of the French Academy of Sciences (2007–2008).

**Where did Jules A. Hoffmann study?**  
Jules A. Hoffmann was educated at University of Strasbourg, University of Marburg, Lycée de garçons Luxembourg.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Jules A. Hoffmann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_A._Hoffmann) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q105605](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105605) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Nobel Prize 2011-Press Conference KI-DSC 7584.jpg by Holger Motzkau (CC BY-SA 3.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nobel_Prize_2011-Press_Conference_KI-DSC_7584.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Jules A. Hoffmann, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Nobel Prize 2011-Press Conference KI-DSC 7584.jpg — Holger Motzkau, CC BY-SA 3.0.

## Cite this page

"Jules A. Hoffmann". DigiNepal. Last updated 31 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/jules-a-hoffmann. Retrieved 4 November 2026.