Systems approaches for the study of metabolic cycles in yeast

Over four decades ago, the first oscillations in metabolism in yeast cells were reported. Since then, multiple forms of oscillatory behavior have been observed in yeast grown under a variety of continuous culturing environments. The remarkable synchrony of cells undergoing such oscillations has made them ideal subjects for investigation using systems-based approaches. Herein, we briefly summarize previous work on the characterization of such oscillations using systems approaches, and present the long-period, Yeast Metabolic Cycle as an excellent model system for deciphering the temporal organization of fundamental cellular and metabolic processes at unprecedented resolution.