The Joy of Why How Is Cell Death Essential to Life?
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Dec 5, 2024 Shai Shaham, a Professor at Rockefeller University, specializes in programmed cell death and its vital role in animal development. He delves into the various types of cell death, like apoptosis, and their importance in health and disease. The discussion uncovers how cell death influences evolution and our overall well-being. Shaham also shares insights on the use of C. elegans as a model for understanding cellular processes. Plus, he reflects on the joy and uncertainty of research, encouraging curiosity in the scientific journey.
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Defining Cell Life and Death
- Defining cell life or death is complex, lacking a single, universal test.
- Movement, metabolism, and signaling are indicators, but don't define life definitively.
Nematode in Permafrost
- A nematode frozen in Siberian permafrost for 40,000 years was revived.
- This raises questions about the definitions of life, death, and suspended animation.
Partial Cell Death
- Cell death doesn't necessitate the entire cell's demise; parts can die too.
- Axon retraction, or "dying back," exemplifies partial cell death during development.