Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a Genetic Model Organism

Basic genetic research techniques for Saccharomyces cerevisiae are reviewed. The Saccharomyces mitotic and meiotic life cycles are described and the characteristics that make Saccharomyces an excellent model genetic organism discussed. Saccharomyces standard nomenclature for gene and proteins names, phenotype descriptions, and strain designations is outlined with particular reference to the ORF nomenclature developed by the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD). The use of the genetic cross as the means of determining the number of genetic alterations carried by a mutant strain, allelism, and linkage analysis is presented. A general review of the classes of Saccharomyces plasmid vectors is provided as well as the variety of reporter and expression vectors available to the Saccharomyces researcher. Techniques such as one-step gene replacement, targeted integration, and gap repair are described.