The Clam Connection
Some of the most important medical research taking place right now is also the most basic - learning to understand and control cells and cellular processes. Here, the Boston Herald looks at work on clams and its relevance to future medicine: "The clam eggs are the key. They give scientists an extraordinarily good look at a process that's fundamental to living organisms, from baker's yeast to humans: cell division. When things go wrong in cell division, it can cause disease. ... That's a vital first step in using the clam to discover the root causes of baffling human ailments, including cancer, muscular dystrophy, premature aging and diabetes. ... The molecular basis for disease might be variable. We're trying to understand all the molecules involved."
Link: http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=53927