Focus on quiescent cells brings to light essential role of RNAi in transcription control

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - 12:02 in Biology & Nature

Some cells just don't get the respect they deserve. In fact, most cells don't. Over 99 percent of the innumerable cells on our planet exist in a state of quiescence. Pick up a handful of soil: it contains thousands of microorganisms, almost every one of which would not grow if you placed it in a culture dish. These cells are metabolically active - yes, alive - but they are not dividing. And they will remain in a reproductively "quiet" state unless stimulated under specific conditions to re-enter the cell cycle and gear up to divide once again.

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