Cell
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Sirtuins have been the focus of intense scrutiny since the discovery of Sir2 as a yeast longevity factor. Functioning as either deacetylases or ADP ribosylases, Sirtuins are regulated by the cofactor NAD and thus may serve as sensors of the metabolic state of the cell and organism. Here we examine the roles of Sirtuins in diverse eukaryotic species, with special emphasis on their links to aging and age-related diseases including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.
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The funding policies of the NIH have made it increasingly difficult for young researchers to procure research funds. This threatens to drive a whole generation of young people away from careers in basic biomedical research.
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Advances in understanding basic developmental and physiological processes often have direct relevance to human disease. They provide insights into pathogenic mechanisms and reveal new pathways that can be exploited in diagnosis and the development of therapeutics.
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Science is a powerful force for change in modern society. As the professionals at its helm, scientists have a unique responsibility to shepherd that change with thoughtful advocacy of their research and careful ethical scrutiny of their own behavior.
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The grant review system at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the main mechanism by which NIH identifies research worthy of support, has been through a major overhaul. Scientists who spearheaded the change say it is time to assess how the new system is working.