The tiny roundworm C. elegans (IMAGE)
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Published in the peer-reviewed, open-access journal PLoS Genetics, the study was conducted on the roundworm C. elegans. This tiny, transparent organism is a widely used tool in genetic research because its see-through body allows scientists to observe live cell behavior, including how cells die. The research team took advantage of these unique features in several innovative ways.
The team examined stress-response genes—many of which have human counterparts—in a new context: how they help remove dying cells. Using tools like CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, they manipulated these genes to identify a specific stress-response pathway that activates to help in the removal of dying cells.
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