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Key Step In Programmed Cell Death Discovered

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the is-it-the-step-that-stops-it? dept.

Investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a dance of proteins that protects certain cells from undergoing apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death. Understanding the fine points of apoptosis is important to researchers seeking ways to control this process. In a series of experiments, St. Jude researchers found that if any one of three molecules is missing, certain cells lose the ability to protect themselves from apoptosis. A report on this work appears in the advance online publication of Nature.

5 of 80 comments (clear)

  1. I for one.... by bytta · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one welcome our dancing protein overlords.

  2. Immunization? by headkase · · Score: 4, Funny

    So can I be exposed to these three molecules in such a way that my immune system makes antibodies for them? Would be nice to be immunized against death.

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    Shh.
  3. How it works by Tablizer · · Score: 1, Funny

    When a cell's number is up, an enzyme stops by, checks to see that it only has 512 megs of RAM, and then installs Windows Vista on it. Biology is fascinating.

    -1 Offtopic
    -1 Troll

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    Table-ized A.I.
  4. Fool! by ScentCone · · Score: 3, Funny

    That was the biggest load of jibber jabber since time cube.

    Perhaps, once you've become immortal, you'll live long enough to understand the time cube. Foolish mortals!

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    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  5. Re:Cancer applications? by Wordplay · · Score: 2, Funny

    Tumorigenic cells want to die ...and so begins the Goth Theory of cancer.