Genetic analyses of the normal development of the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans have revealed evolutionarily conserved mechanisms through which individual cells establish their fates, and how they make and execute the decision to survive or undergo programmed cell death. Mammalian counterparts of these pathways are co-opted by malignant cells, and studies in C.elegansare helping to identify new anticancer drugs.
- Malia B. Potts
- Scott Cameron
