It has long been known that restricting nutrient/calorie intake promotes health and extends lifespan. However, the consequences of reduced nutrient uptake are not understood at the most basic level of our biology -- our genes. Understanding how our genes respond to nutrients is essential in order to design therapies/dietary strategies and to identify naturally occurring molecules found in foods to combat age-related disease and increase lifespan. Research in the Eskiw laboratory aims to identify not only the genes involved in mediating health and longevity but also the mechanisms that drive this. Furthermore, the goal of the Eskiw lab is to understand how nutrient availability and sensing impacts genome folding, influencing gene expression, causing increased health and longevity.

The Eskiw lab has also begun to investigate the how differences in yeast genomes impact fermentation in relationship to the different beers, wines and spirits they produce. Our particular focus is on how nutrient levels impact the expression of specific genes and the timing of expression, leading to different flavour and aroma attributes in the final product. For this, we are collaborating with Winston's Pub - 21st Street Brewery INC. (https://www.21ststreetbrewery.ca/ ) here in Saskatoon. Stop in for some truly fantastic (and scientific!) beers!