The life of a cell

All living organisms are formed from millions of micrometric units, the cells, which are constantly growing, reproducing and dying throughout the lifetime of an organism. The cell cycle is divided into the interphase – the time between divisions – and the mitotic phase, in which the cell divides physically. The interphase is formed by the growth stage (G1), the duplication stage (S), during which the cell duplicates its DNA, and the maturity stage (G2). After G2, the mitotic phase, which can be divided into 2 stages, begins. The first stage is mitosis, in which the chromosomes are shared between the two daughter cells. The second stage is cytokinesis, during which the mother cell divides physically. The cell cycle is ordered and strictly regulated. This regulation is essential, since the chaos of the cell cycle is the main cause of cancer: when there are errors in the cycle, the cells don’t stop dividing and the tumour grows.

At the PRBB centres there are many groups performing research into different aspects of the cell cycle. Among them are Dr. Gil’s group (IMIM), who focus on the biochemical connection between programmed cell death and the cell cycle regulation in mice, and the groups of Dr. Hidalgo’s and Dr. Ayté’s from the CEXS-UPF, who are trying to understand the control of the cell cycle in yeast, a model organism widely used in this field. Dr. Posas (CEXS-UPF) also uses yeast to study the control of cell progression by the protein Hog1 MAPK, whilst Dr. Muñoz (CRG) is interested in the role of MAPKs in the control of proliferation and differentiation of the muscle. Another group is Dr. Vernos’ (CRG), who study the chromosomes sharing during mitosis in frogs.

Christmas lunch at the PRBB

Yesterday December 17th we celebrated Christmas at the PRBB with a meal for all residents. Lunch took place at 1’30pm at the restaurant, and moret han 800 people attended!

Previously, the PRBB Choir (in which I sing!) gave a concert. We went floor to floor, starting on the 7th, singing two songs in each floor, and bringing our club of fans that grew a bit more with each floor we descended. We finished at the ground floor, were lots of people were waiting to go into the restaurant to eat, and sang all 7 or so songs we had prepared. Everyone loved it and it was really good fun!

I’ll see if i can post some videos of the choir here at some point.

By the way, the choir is only one of the “social activities” the PRBB organises for its residents. As you should by now know, there is also a group of capoeira, and soon there will be a theatre one! Also, PRBB residents on their own organise themselves to play football, basketball, and God knows what else…!