Mother Machine (IMAGE) Duke University Caption The 'mother machine' used in the study allows researchers to study individual cells growing and dividing over many generations. The mother cells stay in the closed ends of their own tubes while the daughter cells they produce are pushed toward the open end where they are swept away by a stream of nutrients. Credit Lingchong You, Duke University Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.