Thursday, March 22, 2007

Cells use 'noise' to make cell-fate decisions

Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Date: March 22, 2007

Summary:

Electrical noise, like the crackle heard on AM radio when lightning strikes nearby, is a nuisance that wreaks havoc on electronic devices. But within cells, a similar kind of biochemical “noise” is beneficial, helping cells transform from one state to another, according to a new study led by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher.