Skip to main content

The cancer gene we all have - Michael Windelspecht

359,702 Views

22,146 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

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.

Suppose that a cell has a mutation in one of its BRCA1 genes that inactivates the gene. What will this do to the rate at which the cell divides?

About TED-Ed Animations

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

More from Getting Under Our Skin