Researchers from the Queen Mary University of London have provided new insight into how dividing cells manage the division of their DNA. A new study has revealed that a protein called Astrin is critical for the timely and even distribution of chromosomes during cell division. However, the question of how steady attachments between chromosomes and microtubules are sustained whilst the chromosomes are being forced apart has mystified scientists for years. Researchers believe that studies like this help us to understand what goes wrong when this infection develops, underpinning our attempts to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer more efficiently.