Cancer cells reproduce uncontrollably and exhibit a build-up of DNA errors that can eventually lead to the rearrangement of entire chromosomes. Mapping the proteins that control cell division, chromosome duplication and separation and DNA-repair helps scientists understand how these mechanisms may go wrong and cause cancer.

Since the early 2000s, a molecular tool called RNA-interference has been available that allows scientists to reliably block gene expression in experiments. The introduction of this tool and high-resolution microscopy enabled scientists to systematically study and quantify cellular behavior and the underlying molecular principles.

Systems biology approaches however also provide a challenge in terms of generation, management and sharing of data.

EMBL’s MitoCheck website provides information on cell division, including the mitotic cell atlas, to anyone with an interest. The site integrates data on the role of genes in cells with microscope images of cells and tissues. In 2019, EMBL-EBI launched the BioImage Archive, a free, publicly available resource which stores and distributes biological images, not only of cell division, but across all biological topics.

A better understanding of cell division may give scientists a clearer idea how sexual reproduction evolved at a cellular level. Sexual reproduction occurs in many plants and animals and involves a particular form of cell division that mixes the genetic material from two parents to produce their offspring. This mixing of DNA produces more varied, new genetic combinations so sexual reproduction turbocharged evolution when it appeared. The process involves a complicated, coordinated series of mechanisms, proteins and other molecules, making the first division of the fertilised egg distinct from later cell divisions. Scientists are exploring how such complexity evolved from mitosis.

As cell division is one of the key processes of life, understanding it may help with the treatment of a great many conditions. For example, some pregnancies fail at an early stage due to errors occurring as cells divide, so a detailed understanding of mitosis may inform approaches to infertility.