Scientists Complete Mapping of All the Genes in a Yeast Cell

Scientists have found every single gene in a yeast cell and call it a significant achievement that can help advance medicine and genetics, according to a report in the May 29 edition of Nature. The one-celled brewer’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisae, is the closest relative to humans to have all its genes counted and accounted for.

The map is significant in that it represents a eukaryote--an organism whose cell or cells have a nucleus. This domain includes humans and other animals, plants, yeast, some fungi and slime molds. Because yeast and people have many genes in common, the map will provide insights into human genetics and assist in the development of a similar map for humans.