Eukaryotes: not beyond compare

Comparative genomics can be a powerful tool to study genome evolution, but in eukaryotes such studies have been limited owing to a lack of available complete genome sequences from organisms belonging to the same phylogenetic group. However, yeasts are ideal candidates for such comparative studies owing to the compact nature of their genomes, similar lifestyles and distinct sexual and physiological properties. In a recent publication, Dujon et al. studied evolution in the Hemiascomycete class using comparative analysis of the complete genome sequences of four yeast species, each representing various and distant branches among the hemiascomycetes.