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Updated: May 20, 2026
12:24
Quantifying Yeast Chronological Life Span by Outgrowth of Aged Cells
Published on: May 6, 2009
Replicative and chronological aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Valter D Longo1, Gerald S Shadel, Matt Kaeberlein
1Longevity Institute, School of Gerontology, Department of Biological Sciences, and Norris Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA. vlongo@usc.edu
Cell Metabolism
|July 10, 2012
Summary
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast model, has identified numerous genes influencing mammalian aging. Research focuses on optimizing yeast replicative and chronological lifespan assays to understand aging mechanisms relevant to human health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Yeast Genetics
Background:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a key model organism for aging research.
- It has identified more mammalian aging genes than any other model.
- Yeast aging is studied via replicative and chronological lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review genes and mechanisms in yeast aging models.
- To identify remaining issues for optimizing these aging assays.
- To highlight yeast's continued role in human aging and disease research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on yeast aging.
- Analysis of genes and mechanisms implicated in yeast lifespan.
- Discussion of optimization strategies for yeast aging assays.
Main Results:
- Yeast has been instrumental in discovering mammalian aging genes.
- Replicative and chronological lifespan assays are primary methods.
- Several genes and pathways are implicated in yeast aging.
Conclusions:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful model for aging research.
- Further optimization of yeast aging assays is needed.
- Yeast research will continue to advance understanding of human aging and disease.
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