Searching For Novel Gene Functions In Yeast

During the past few decades we have witnessed an era of remarkable growth in the field of molecular biology. In 1950 very little was known of the chemical constitution of biological systems, the manner in which information was trans mitted from one organism to another, or the extent to which the chemical basis of life is unified. The picture today is dramatically different. We have an almost bewildering variety of information detailing many different aspects of life at the molecular level. There great advances have brought with them some breath-taking insights into the molecular mechanisms used by nature for rep licating, distributing and modifying biological information. We have learned a great deal about the chemical and physical nature of the macromolecular nucleic acids and proteins, and the manner in which carbohydrates, lipids and smaller molecules work together to provide the molecular setting of living sys tems. It might be said that these few decades have replaced a near vacuum of information with a very large surplus. It is in the context of this flood of information that this series of monographs on molecular biology has been organized. The idea is to bring together in one place, between the covers of one book, a concise assessment of the state of the subject in a well-defined field. This will enable the reader to get a sense of historical perspectiv(}-what is known about the field today-and a description of the frontiers of research where our knowledge is increasing steadily.

Focusing on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the second edition of Yeast Gene Analysis represents a major reworking of the original edition, with many completely new chapters and major revisions to all previous chapters. Originally published shortly after completion of the yeast genome sequence, the new edition covers many of the major genome-wide strategies that have been developed since then such as microarray analysis of transcription, synthetic gene array studies, protein microarrays and chemical genetic approaches. It represents a valuable resource for any research laboratory using budding yeast as their experimental system in which to identify new yeast gene functions. The chapters are written in a readable style with useful background information, technical tips and specific experimental protocols included as appropriate, enabling both the novice and the experienced yeast researcher to adopt new procedures with confidence. New chapters on: Strain construction; genome-wide two-hybrid approaches; use of microarrays for transcript analysis; real-time analysis of chromosome behaviour and FRET; synthetic gene array technology and protein arrays; chemical genomics and yeast prions; RNA gene analysis and mitochondrial gene function analysis; phylogenetic footprinting; discovering human gene function and predicting yeast gene function

This volume includes contributions by the leading experts in the field of yeast aging. Budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and other fungal organisms provide models for aging research that are relevant to organismic aging and to the aging processes occurring in the human body. Replicative aging, in which only the mother cell ages while the daughter cell resets the clock to zero is a model for the aging of stem cell populations in humans, while chronological aging (measured by survival in stationary phase) is a model for the aging processes in postmitotic cells (for instance, neurons of the brain). Most mechanisms of aging are studied in yeast. Among them, this book discusses: mitochondrial theories of aging, emphasizing oxidative stress and retrograde responses; the role of autophagy and mitophagy; the relationship of apoptosis to aging processes; the role of asymmetric segregation of damage in replicative aging; the role of replication stress; and the role of the cytoskeleton in aging. Modern methods of yeast genetics and genomics are described that can be used to search for aging-specific functions in a genome-wide unbiased fashion. The similarities in the pathology of senescence (studied in yeast) and of cancer cells, including genome instability, are examined.

Yeast Genetics: Methods and Protocols is a collection of methods to best study and manipulate Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a truly genetic powerhouse. The simple nature of a single cell eukaryotic organism, the relative ease of manipulating its genome and the ability to interchangeably exist in both haploid and diploid states have always made it an attractive model organism. Genes can be deleted, mutated, engineered and tagged at will. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has played a major role in the elucidation of multiple conserved cellular processes including MAP kinase signaling, splicing, transcription and many others. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Yeast Genetics: Methods and Protocols will provide a balanced blend of classic and more modern genetic methods relevant to a wide range of research areas and should be widely used as a reference in yeast labs.

This fully updated edition of the bestselling three-part Methods in Enzymology series, Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology is specifically designed to meet the needs of graduate students, postdoctoral students, and researchers by providing all the up-to-date methods necessary to study genes in yeast. Procedures are included that enable newcomers to set up a yeast laboratory and to master basic manipulations. This volume serves as an essential reference for any beginning or experienced researcher in the field. Provides up-to-date methods necessary to study genes in yeast Includes proceedures that enable newcomers to set up a yeast laboratory and to master basic manipulations Serves as an essential reference for any beginning or experienced researcher in the field

Yeast Genetics: Methods and Protocols is a collection of methods to best study and manipulate Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a truly genetic powerhouse. The simple nature of a single cell eukaryotic organism, the relative ease of manipulating its genome and the ability to interchangeably exist in both haploid and diploid states have always made it an attractive model organism. Genes can be deleted, mutated, engineered and tagged at will. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has played a major role in the elucidation of multiple conserved cellular processes including MAP kinase signaling, splicing, transcription and many others. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Yeast Genetics: Methods and Protocols will provide a balanced blend of classic and more modern genetic methods relevant to a wide range of research areas and should be widely used as a reference in yeast labs.