Autophagy

Autophagy is an important cellular process in which cells break down and recycle their own cellular components. This process helps to maintain the cells’ health, preventing the buildup of damaged proteins, organelles and pathogens. Autophagy also plays a key role in a wide range of physiological processes, such as development, immunity and metabolism. In addition, it has been shown to be involved in the aging process and has been linked to many diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory diseases. Autophagy has become a highly-studied field, with scientists researching how this process can be harnessed and manipulated to potentially treat or prevent certain diseases.