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The cancer gene we all have - Michael Windelspecht

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TEDEd Animation

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Within every cell in our body, two copies of a tumor suppressor gene called BRCA1 are tasked with regulating the speed at which cells divide. Michael Windelspecht explains how these genes can sometimes mutate, making those cells less specialized and more likely to develop into cancer.

There may be hundreds of mutations in the BRCA1 gene that influence its ability to regulate cell division. Why might some of these mutations be more likely to result in the formation of cancer than others?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Michael Windelspecht
  • Director Michael Kalopaidis
  • Artist Dinos Hadjidemetri
  • Animator Maria Savva
  • Sound Designer Manolis Manoli
  • Producer Zedem Media
  • Narrator Michelle Snow

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