Weizmann Institute Scientists Identify DARE Cells That Begin Apoptosis but Survive to Repair Tissue

20 September 2026National

Scientists at Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science identified a population of DARE cells that begin programmed cell death, or apoptosis, yet survive and help rebuild damaged tissue; the work was published in Nature Communications on 18 September 2026. In fruit fly larvae these cells multiplied and replenished nearly half the damaged tissue within 48 hours, showing that caspases, the protease enzymes that normally drive apoptosis, can also support survival. A related study found DARE cell descendants became seven times more resistant to cell death, a pathway linked to cancer recurrence and treatment resistance.

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Apoptosis is genetically programmed cell death; necrosis by contrast is uncontrolled cell death from injury | Caspases are cysteine proteases central to apoptosis | CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad, reported Programmed Cell Revival in human cells in The EMBO Journal

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