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Nature 440, 153-154 (9 March 2006) | doi:10.1038/440153a; Published online 8 March 2006

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Cell biology: When the tail wags the dog

Scott M. Landfear1

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Flagella are whip-like structures that power the movement of certain cells. Analysis of a single-cell parasite, the African trypanosome, reveals that flagella are also essential for viability in this organism.

Many cells can move from one position to another, by various means. One locomotive structure that emerged early in evolution is a whip-like appendage called the flagellum that propels the cell by a cyclical beating motion.

  1. Scott M. Landfear is in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
    Email: landfear@ohsu.edu

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