Topic Introduction

Genetic Analysis of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

  1. Geneviève Thon2
  1. 1Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-141 83, Sweden;
  2. 2Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
  1. 3Correspondence: karl.ekwall{at}ki.se

Abstract

In this introduction we discuss some basic genetic tools and techniques that are used with the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Genes commonly used for selection or as reporters are discussed, with an emphasis on genes that permit counterselection, intragenic complementation, or colony-color assays. S. pombe is most stable as a haploid organism. We describe its mating-type system, how to perform genetic crosses and methods for selecting and propagating diploids. We discuss the relative merits of tetrad dissection and random spore preparation in strain construction and genetic analyses. Finally, we present several types of mutant screens, with an evaluation of their respective strengths and limitations in the light of emerging technologies such as next-generation sequencing.

Footnotes

  • From the Fission Yeast collection, edited by Iain M. Hagan, Antony M. Carr, Agnes Grallert, and Paul Nurse.

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