Deciphering the regulatory mechanisms controlling organellar crosstalk and cellular longevity. Dutch

Besides its vast industrial importance, the yeast Saccharomyces
cerevisiae has for several decades been used as a model to unravel
basic cellular mechanisms operating in all eukaryotic cells. More
recently, the value of yeast as a model to unravel the mysteries of
ageing has become apparent. Indeed, one of the most effective
interventions to extent lifespan across a variety of species is the
principle of calorie restriction, which encompasses a reduction in
nutrient intake without malnutrition. This effect appear to be mediated
by highly conserved nutrient-responsive signaling pathways, which in
humans are implicated in a variety of diseases
In general, this project focusses on how nutrient-responsive
pathways control inter-organellar communication, thereby
determining the growth potential and lifespan of yeast cells. Special
attention goes to the dynamic regulation of membrane contact sites,
which are formed between the different organelles to exchange
metabolites and presumably also enzymes. Given that these
processes are extremely important to maintain the overall cellular
homeostasis, it is not surprising that membrane contacts have also
been implicated in the etiology of human diseases. Also this aspect
will be investigated in more detail using yeast as model system.