Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a well-organized process of cell suicide which eliminates cells from tissues in a silent and non-provocative manner. It is essential for development and tissue homeostasis of the multicellular organism.
In addition, apoptosis plays a role in pathologies such as tumour growth, neurodegeneration, acute myocardial infarction and chronic inflammation.
Apoptosis can be employed as a target in the clinic for treatment of diseases. For instance, chemo- and radiotherapy are effective in cancer treatment because they induce apoptosis of the tumour cells.
Measurement of apoptosis in vivo thus contributes to our understanding of the role of apoptosis in physiology and pathology. It is also the ultimate drug-screening modality to reveal drug-efficacy in the context of the whole organism if drugs are concerned that target apoptotic pathways.