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Lysosomes are small, enzyme-filled sacks found within cells, which break down old cell components and unwanted molecules.
Their potent mixture of destructive enzymes also makes them important in protecting cells against pathogens such as viruses by degrading cell intruders.
However, new research from the University of Oxford has revealed that in addition to breaking down cellular components, lysosomes are also important in building cellular structures.
Read more (Oxford Science blog)