Introduction

John Diffley

CR-UK London Research Institute, UK

The cell cycle can be defined as the series of events that take place in a eukaryotic cell leading to its duplication. These events include the decision of whether or not to commit to a round of duplication (known as START or the Restriction Point), the complete and faithful replication of genomic DNA and the accurate segregation of the replicated sister chromatids to the daughter cells. Most anti-cancer drugs currently in use work by interfering with aspects of the cell cycle; however, most cause undesirable side effects by killing normal proliferating cells and inducing mutagenesis promoting secondary cancers. Newly discovered factors involved in DNA replication and chromosome segregation could be important targets for less mutagenic chemotherapies. Moreover, subtle alterations in cell cycle regulation, which are important for cancer development, may represent opportunities for new cancer diagnostics and therapies. The foundation of our understanding of the cell cycle has come from studies in yeast, flies and frogs. This session will address new concepts and future drug targets that continue to emerge from studying the cell cycle in these model organisms.