sperm cells

Researchers have proposed the sea anemone as a new model organism for studying meiosis, the cell division process that produces eggs and sperm. Because sea anemones are evolutionarily ancient and reproduce readily in the lab, scientists say the animal could shed light on the basic mechanisms of meiosis and, by extension, on human fertility problems. The work is being reported by science news services.

Researchers report that amyloid protein fibers, best known as a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, have been observed ferrying material to sperm cells. The finding suggests these fibers can act as delivery vehicles in reproductive biology, a role far removed from their association with neurodegeneration. Scientists say the observation could open new questions about how amyloids function in the body beyond disease.