title: Evolution of cell division: from shear mechanics to complex molecular machineries.
abstract: Cell division depends on sophisticated molecular machinery. However, wall-less forms of bacteria use a much simpler mechanism that mimics spontaneous division of synthetic lipid vesicles. Mercier et al. (2013) show that this "mechanical" division can be activated by increased lipid synthesis. Conceivably, the first cells divided via this route.
authors: National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA. koonin@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
authors: Eugene V
authors: EV
authors: Koonin
authors: Armen Y
authors: AY
authors: Mulkidjanian