Harmonious survival of the entire organism depends on the rigorous preservation of the controls that regulate the balance between the cell’s replication and apoptosis. This balance depends largely, although not exclusively, on the integrity of the genome. Cancer is a flagrant illustration of the danger of imbalance between cell proliferation and cell death. As cells replicate unfettered by normal controls, they invade the surrounding healthy population of cells, and they colonize distant organs. Van Lancker’s book introduces readers to the molecules involved in apoptosis and genomic integrity and considers the gain or loss of the functions that lead to cancer. This excellent educational resource is designed for scientists and academics in the medical sciences, graduate and undergraduate education in cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, public health, toxicology, experimental pathology, and radiation biology. Table of Contents Introduction to Apoptosis Foreword by Wayne Grody, MD. Part 1 Introduction to Apoptosis 1. Morphology and Occurence of Apoptosis 2. Recognition and Disposal of the Apoptotic Bodies 3. Agents that Trigger Apoptosis 4. Genes and Gene Products in Apoptosis of C. elegans 5. The Bc1-2 Family 6. Interleukin 1-B Converting Enzyme (ICE) and Caspases 7. The Cytochrome c-Dependent Pathway to Apoptosis 8. Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) Part 2 Integrity of the Genome