New Insight Gained in Cell Division (Tim Mitchison)

Kinetochore's two-handed maneuver helps chromosomes move apart

Research at Harvard Medical School sheds new light on how chromosomes move apart during cell division, a delicate maneuver implicated in a multitude of disorders, including some cancers and birth defects. While the puzzle is rooted in high school biology, the solution comes straight from gym class: Chromosomes move apart with two “hands,” like students climbing a rope. read more