Two mitochondria proteins, Bax and Bak, play of critical role in initiating apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine demonstrate that virtually all forms of cell death are eliminated in cells that lack Bak and Bax, allowing the cells to become immortal.

This has important implications for the development of new cancer treatments and provides new hope that cell death can be prevented during a stroke or heart attack.