For our bodies to maintain stability there is a balance between cell survival and death. We eliminate abnormal or dangerous cells through cell suicide mechanisms. However excess cell death can cause degenerative diseases, so cell survival is critical too. Denise Montell, UCSB Professor of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, talks about a discovery that cells can reverse the cell death process and survive. This has implications for cancer, degenerative disease, and regenerative medicine. Series: "Women in Science" [Science] [Show ID: 31420]