Summary: New research has uncovered how the body clears dying cells during times of stress, shedding light on the unexpected role of classic stress-response genes. Using the model organism C. elegans, scientists tracked how these genes activate a pathway that helps remove cellular debris, a process essential for immune health and development.
Live imaging and CRISPR techniques allowed researchers to observe this stress-cell clearance machinery in real time. These findings could provide new insight into diseases like Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, where the body fails to clean up dead cells effectively.
Key Facts:
- Stress-Cleanup Link: Classic stress-response genes activate a pathway that clears dying cells.
- Live Imaging Used: Researchers used real-time imaging in C. elegans to visualize cellular cleanup during stress.
- Human Relevance: The key gene identified is related to a human gene (LYST) involved in immune disorders.
Source: UT Arlington…