A Budding Topic: Modeling Aging and Longevity in Yeast

Abstract Aging is a nearly universal phenomenon exemplified by progressive deterioration, reduced fitness, and an increasing likelihood of death. In attempts to better understand longevity, researchers have turned to model organisms such as yeast to uncover and dissect the mechanism involved in aging. In so doing, exciting observations have revealed the existence of molecular processes, genetic pathways, and environmental conditions that impact longevity. Importantly, the foundation behind many of these breakthroughs and discoveries in yeast is broadly conserved in a wide range of eukaryotic organisms.