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Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model for mammalian diseases

Evelyn Sattlegger1,2, Anja H Schiemann1

  • 1School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand.

FEMS Yeast Research
|March 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as a powerful model system for understanding human diseases. Its conserved biology and genetic tractability accelerate biomedical research and therapeutic development.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Research
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Human diseases often lack understood molecular mechanisms, hindering targeted therapy development.
  • Mammalian cell lines and animal models have limitations in recapitulating in vivo biology due to genetic alterations, cost, and ethical concerns.
  • A need exists for reliable surrogate systems to study complex biological processes and diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the utility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system in biomedical research.
  • To highlight how yeast research advances understanding of human diseases and facilitates drug discovery.
  • To demonstrate the continued relevance of yeast in modern biological and medical studies.

Main Methods:

  • Leveraging conserved cellular and molecular processes between yeast and humans.
  • Utilizing yeast's genetic tractability (haploid/diploid states, ease of manipulation).
  • Employing advanced technologies, protocols, and databases available for yeast research.

Main Results:

  • Yeast has been instrumental in deciphering biological mechanisms and disease pathways at a molecular level.
  • Studies using yeast have informed drug development and therapeutic interventions for various human conditions.
  • The review showcases specific examples of yeast's contribution to understanding disease.

Conclusions:

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a cost-effective, rapidly growing, and genetically accessible model organism.
  • Its fundamental biological processes are highly conserved with humans, making it ideal for disease modeling.
  • Yeast remains a highly relevant and powerful tool in contemporary biomedical research for advancing human health.
Keywords:
Saccharomyces cerevisiaeGcn2baker’s yeastbrewer’s yeastdisease mechanismdrug discoverydrug mechanismeukaryotic modelintegrated stress responsemolecular functionpharmacogenomics

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