Later studies, including the identification and analysis of homologs of apoptotic genes, confirmed the existence of apoptotic-like cell death in fungi14. These studies also showed the connection between apoptotic-like cell death and important biological processes such as development, aging, stress responses, and pathogenesis. The emerging role of apoptosis as a key regulator of fungal development suggests that it might be possible to develop new means of controlling fungal infections through manipulation of apoptosis.