Daniel Lackner and Jan Karlseder

Image: Courtesy of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies

The images in the top row each show six chromosomes found in a normal roundworm.

In contrast, the bottom rows show abnormally fused chromosomes found in genetically altered roundworms created by the Salk researchers.

Despite this irregularity, the Salk researchers' worms were able to reproduce, providing a new avenue for scientists to study a key pathway in the development of certain cancers.

Image: Courtesy of Jan Karlseder, Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory and Daniel Lackner, research associate.