A Helix for the Final Cut.

The article discusses a study within the issue regarding cytology research that reports biologists have identified the mechanism by which two dividing cells are separated. Topics include an overview of molecular dynamics of cell division, the discovery of a contractile helix composed of a protein filament that accomplishes membrane abscission between two cells during cell division, called the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, and the use of both light and electron microscopy to identify ESCRT-dependent fibers. Also discussed is the use of fluorescently tagged tubulin to study cell division in live human cells in which researchers found the configuration of microtuble bundles were crucial for abscission.