Our understanding of human cancer in the past 40 years has been
driven by linking innovative concepts and cutting edge technologies to key
problems identified by clinical research. Some of the successes in cancer
genetics identified from clinical work have been the identification of specific
gene deletions in human chromosomes, the use of PCR-based cloning
methodologies to identify and clone human cancer genes, the validation of
the human cancer genes using transgenetic technologies in the mouse, and
the ability to sequence whole genomes that has recently allowed a collation
of all somatic and germline mutations in a human genome. In the same
generation, entirely different disciplines involved in basic life science research
have used model organisms like yeast, flies, worms, and cancer causing animal
viruses as tools to develop windows to see into the machinery of the cell life
cycle. The discoveries of pro-apoptotic genes, oncogenes, and covalent control
mechanisms like phosphorylation and ubiquitination using the tools of
science and technology have all been awarded Nobel prizes for their
contribution to our understanding of how cells work. The discovery of p53
using the tumor causing animal virus SV40 falls into this pioneering period
of biological and medical research. Now, at the 30th year anniversary
following the discovery of p53, the international community has
demonstrated the fundamental role of p53 in cancer suppression,
reproduction, ageing, and anti-viral immunity, further cementing the
fundamental role of p53 as a key gene maintained by natural selection to
contribute to fitness and health. Although knowledge on p53 continues to
advance in leaps and bounds, and is all revealed in international journals, it
is relatively difficult for students entering the cancer field or p53 field to get
a historical or practical grasp on fundamentals of p53.