Some Genes Become Active After Death

Scientists have found that some genes are still active after death, when some cells haven't gotten the signal that the organism is no longer alive. Some genetic processes are even initiated at that time. A team of investigators had been looking at microbial activity after death, and next wanted to assess post-mortem gene expression in fish and rodents. Microbiologist Peter Noble and his group at the University of Washington, Seattle found that some genes continued to express for four days after death occurs.

This research might be crucial for improving transplant success, and could also be of use in forensics. Other scientists are looking at the possibility of estimating time of death by assessing gene expression. Learn more from the video, by Science.