Stanford scientists discover 'ruptoblasts,' immune cells in flatworms that explode to destroy foreign invaders

Researchers at Stanford University have identified a novel type of immune cell in planarian flatworms, dubbed 'ruptoblasts,' which rapidly explode to eliminate nearby bacteria and foreign cells before disappearing. This unusually fast and localized defense mechanism, detailed in a study published in Cell, could provide new insights for developing targeted treatments against infections and cancer.