Accelerated aging and nucleolar fragmentation in yeast sgs1 mutants

Integrating genetic approaches into the discovery of anticancer drugs

The discovery of anticancer drugs is now driven by the numerous molecular alterations identified in tumor cells over the past decade. To exploit these alterations, it is necessary to understand how they define a molecular context that allows increased sensitivity to particular compounds. Traditional genetic approaches together with the new wealth of genomic information for both human and model organisms open up strategies by which drugs can be profiled for their ability to selectively kill cells in a molecular context that matches those found in tumors. Similarly, it may be possible to identify and validate new targets for drugs that would selectively kill tumor cells with a particular molecular context. This article outlines some of the ways that yeast genetics can be used to streamline anticancer drug discovery.

Genetics of aging

The role of genetics in determining life-span is complex and paradoxical. Although the heritability of life-span is relatively minor, some genetic variants significantly modify senescence of mammals and invertebrates, with both positive and negative impacts on age-related disorders and life-spans. In certain examples, the gene variants alter metabolic pathways, which could thereby mediate interactions with nutritional and other environmental factors that influence life-span. Given the relatively minor effect and variable penetrance of genetic risk factors that appear to affect survival and health at advanced ages, life-style and other environmental influences may profoundly modify outcomes of aging.