We have identified a novel mechanism by which plant cells maintain their viability. CGT has discovered that extracellular ATP (eATP), previously of unknown physiological role, is essential for plant cells to stay alive. Biochemical removal of eATP leads to the activation of a signalling pathway that results in programmed cell death. By understanding more of the regulation of this pathway, we can identify proteins essential for plant cell viability, and these represent targets for new and potentially environmentally friendly herbicides. We are using the high-throughput techniques of proteomics and transcriptomics, in combination with genetics, to identify key components of the cell viability siganlling pathway.