Cancer, Diabetes, Aging - A Personal Story of Discovery

Cell division, growth and death are the most fundamental features of biology. The discovery of the conserved, nutrient-activated protein kinase TOR (Target of Rapamycin) profoundly changed how cell growth is viewed. Rather than occurring spontaneously when nutrients are available, growth is a highly regulated, plastic process controlled by TOR-dependent signaling pathways. As a central controller of cell growth, TOR plays a key role in development and aging and is implicated in various disorders including cancer and diabetes. Michael Hall will present an insider’s view of the discovery of TOR and the importance of curiosity-driven research.