Lysis is a research area in biology that focuses on the breaking down or destruction of cells, typically through the disruption of the cell membrane. This can occur naturally through processes such as apoptosis or necrosis, or can be induced in a laboratory setting for various purposes, such as extracting cellular components or studying cell death pathways. Lysis can be achieved using physical methods (such as sonication or freeze-thaw cycles) or chemical agents (such as detergents or enzymes). The study of lysis is important for understanding cellular biology, disease mechanisms, and developing new therapeutic strategies.