Autophagy: The "Pac-Man" within Us-Ally or Adversary?

Autophagy, first described by the Belgian biochemist Christian De Duve in 1963, is derived from the Greek word "autóphagos," which means "self-devouring." It is a cellular homeostatic process in which the body rids itself of flawed or damaged cells and other defective cellular organelles. The implication of defective autophagy in various human diseases has been well documented. The vital importance of autophagy is underscored by the fact that robust cellular health and function are intricately linked with it.