It's the Little Things

A Japanese microbiologist was recently awarded a Nobel Prize. His research concerned a process called autophagy, by which unwanted cells can be destroyed through a natural mechanism.

Unwanted cells? How about cancer cells? This research has wonderful implications for the fight against cancer.

However, what people will probably remember from the Nobel awards ceremony is Mr. Ohsumi's closing remarks: “I would like to take this opportunity to note my appreciation for the many lessons and wonderful gifts from yeast — perhaps my favorite of all being sake and liquor,” he said. As for me, when it comes to yeast, I'll take bread as the greatest gift from these tiny-tiny organisms.

For better or worse, little lives have big significance. Here's to ongoing research in cellular autophagy!