About This Video

Whenever a cell divides, its genetic code is copied into the new cell. But sometimes an imperfect copy is made, and the result is called a mutation. Most of the time, this does nothing; sometimes it arises as a trait that gets passed down through heredity. But in the worst cases, the mutation causes the cell to divide out of control—the division further damaging the DNA, creating more and more mutations. Researchers such as Eric Lander and Mary-Claire King are looking for the genes that cause this unchecked growth when damaged. But with genes mutating all the time, it will take a large database of cancer samples to find the common thread among them.
More from this series: Cancer’s Last Stand

Recorded June 2011; Posted October 2011