An overview of programmed cell death research: From canonical to emerging model species

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a critical process for the development and survival of a wide range of organisms. PCD research has made striking advances over the past 40 years, and a great deal of our understanding has emerged from studying canonical model organisms representing diverse kingdoms of life. To illuminate the differences and similarities of PCD among metazoans, plants, fungi, and prokaryotes, a cross section of established canonical model systems is examined, outlining the reasons they were chosen as models and evaluating their benefits and limitations. Novel model systems are rapidly emerging, and the advent of comparative genomics and proteomics will greatly enhance the quality of information that can be extrapolated. The pathway to developing a model is discussed along with a review of the past thirteen years of research in the emerging lace plant model system.