The stalked twin immediately begins replicating its DNA in preparation for another cell division whereas the swimmer delays replicating its DNA until later in the cell cycle, after it sheds its flagellum and forms a stalk of its own. The Caulobacter crescentus study is part of a larger research program to better understand how cells regulate their growth and differentiation. Any disruption in these normal processes can eventually lead to cancer and other diseases. According to ONR Program Officer Eric Eisenstadt, understanding the architecture and logic of the cell's operating system could reveal new design principles for operating autonomous unmanned devices. By carefully coordinating DNA replication with other events in the cell cycle, the Caulobacter ensures that each progeny cell, swarmer or stalked, ends up with the correct number of gene-bearing chromosomes.
Recent research shows that the master regulator itself is controlled by processes within the cell.
ONR, the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Naval Oceanographic Office are sponsoring the third annual Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Fest Nov. 3-9. Participating in the demonstration are the Autonomous Undersea Systems Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Lockheed Martin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Naval Postgraduate School and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Miss. A Media Day is scheduled for Nov. 5. Space is limited. Biomedical engineers at the University of Southern California have created the world's first machine system that can recognize spoken words better than humans can.