Scientists uncover new information about cellular death process, previously thought to be irreversible

Researchers report a new method for analyzing pyroptosis — the process of cell death that is usually caused by infections and results in excess inflammation in the body — and show that the process, long thought to be irreversible once initiated, can in fact be halted and controlled. The discovery means that scientists have a new way to study diseases that are related to malfunctioning cell death processes and infections that can be complicated by out-of-control inflammation.