Researchers have developed a technique that identifies genes associated with specific biologically active proteins much more quickly than previously possible.

The approach is potentially useful not just for analyzing gene functions in yeast—the organism on which it's first been demonstrated—but in other organisms as well, including humans. The technique was devised by associate professor Eric M. Phizicky, Ph.D. and research associate professor Elizabeth J. Grayhack, Ph.D. of the department of Biochemistry & Biophysics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.