A groundbreaking study from The University of Manchester, published May 1, 2025, in Science, is rewriting our understanding of cell division. For over a century, students have been taught that cells round up into spheres before dividing, but this research reveals a different reality.
The study demonstrates that cells often divide asymmetrically, without rounding, resulting in daughter cells of varying sizes and functions. This asymmetric division is crucial for generating diverse cell types in the body, impacting tissue and organ formation.
Researchers found that the initial shape of a cell dictates its division behavior. Shorter, wider cells tend to round up and divide symmetrically, while longer, thinner cells divide asymmetrically. This discovery has significant implications for understanding diseases like cancer, where asymmetric division can promote metastasis, and for advancing regenerative medicine by enabling precise cell type manufacturing.
Dr. Shane Herbert, co-lead author, emphasizes the fundamental shift in understanding: "Our research suggests that the shape of the cell before it divides can fundamentally direct whether a cell rounds, and importantly, if its daughters are symmetric or asymmetric both in size and function." By manipulating parental cell shape, scientists may one day influence the function of daughter cells, opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Using real-time imaging of zebrafish embryos and micropatterning techniques with human cells, the team observed asymmetric division in action. They found that fast-moving "tip" cells in developing blood vessels divide without rounding, creating a new fast "tip" cell and a slower following cell. This innovative approach provides a deeper understanding of cell behavior in living organisms.