Control of asymmetric cell division: will cnidarians provide an answer?.

Investigates the mechanism that control asymmetric cell divisions by researchers from Kiel, Germany. Characterization of the cells in the basal metazoan phylum Cnidaria by remarkable plasticity in their differentiation capacity; Evidence showing the involvement of WIPI proteins in maintaining the self-renewal capacity of stem cells in organisms; Significance of the study on the elucidation of the factors that control asymmetric cell divisions at the beginning of animal evolution.