Co-regulation of polar mRNA transport and lifespan in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Exploring the power of yeast to model aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders

Aging is a multifactorial process determined by molecular, cellular and systemic factors and it is well established that advancing age is a leading risk factor for several neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, the close association of aging and neurodegenerative disorders has placed aging as the greatest social and economic challenge of the 21st century, and age-related diseases have also become a key priority for countries worldwide. The growing need to better understand both aging and neurodegenerative processes has led to the development of simple eukaryotic models amenable for mechanistic studies. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven to be an unprecedented experimental model to study the fundamental aspects of aging and to decipher the intricacies of neurodegenerative disorders greatly because the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human. Moreover, yeast offers several methodological advantages allowing a rapid and relatively easy way of establishing gene-protein-function associations. Here we review different aging theories, common cellular pathways driving aging and neurodegenerative diseases and discuss the major contributions of yeast to the state-of-art knowledge in both research fields.

Flow cytometry what you see matters: Enhanced clinical detection using image-based flow cytometry

Image-based flow cytometry combines the throughput of traditional flow cytometry with the ability to visually confirm findings and collect novel data that would not be possible otherwise. Since image-based flow cytometry borrows measurement parameters and analysis techniques from microscopy, it is possible to collect unique measures (i.e. nuclear translocation, co-localization, cellular synapse, cellular endocytosis, etc.) that would not be possible with traditional flow cytometry. The ability to collect unique outcomes has led many researchers to develop novel assays for the monitoring and detection of a variety of clinical conditions and diseases. In many cases, investigators have innovated and expanded classical assays to provide new insight regarding clinical conditions and chronic disease. Beyond human clinical applications, image-based flow cytometry has been used to monitor marine biology changes, nano-particles for solar cell production, and particle quality in pharmaceuticals. This review article summarizes work from the major scientists working in the field of image-based flow cytometry.

Dimethyl sulphoxide modifies growth and senescence and induces the non-revertible petite phenotype in yeast

Dimethyl sulphoxide is extensively used in chemical, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, but its specific biological actions remain largely elusive. The aim of this study was to comprehensively explore the effects of dimethyl sulphoxide on eukaryotic growth and senescence by using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a reliable model organism. Rather than focusing on single cells or on either the replicative or the chronological lifespan approach, well-established microbiological procedures were integrated to monitor a combination of physiological parameters. Cell proliferation, survival, reproductive competence and morphology were recorded at various time points during incubation of asynchronous yeast populations with increasing concentrations of dimethyl sulphoxide. The findings demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of the compound on yeast proliferation, survival and reproduction. In parallel, dimethyl sulphoxide induced the acquisition of the non-revertible petite phenotype and promoted morphological alterations that characterize senescence, driving the yeast populations towards the reproductive incompetent state. These findings point to the need for the investigation of the complex cellular and/or molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of dimethyl sulphoxide in eukaryotic cells and for the evaluation of their exploitation potential.