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

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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