APOPTOSIS AND PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is the physiologic, natural form of cell death, exhibiting characteristic morphological and biochemical f eatures. Apoptosis occurs upon developmental processes and represents an important defense mechanism. Defective apoptosis can result in a va riety of diseases. Rapidly growing knowledge upon this mode of cell de ath, especially the identification of genes involved in the regulation of apoptosis raise the hope for new therapies in the treatment of can cer, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as viral infe ctions.