Research has uncovered molecular surveillance mechanisms called checkpoints that tightly monitor cell-cycle processes. Further research promises to uncover a new generation of anticancer drugs with improved therapeutic indices based on their ability to target emerging checkpoint components. This title summarizes the advances made over the past 20 years, identifying components of cell-cycle checkpoints and their molecular regulation during checkpoint activation and validating the use of checkpoint proteins as targets for the development of anticancer drugs. The distinguished panel of authors takes a close look at topics ranging from the major molecular players affecting DNA synthesis to advances in the identification of chemical compounds capable of inhibiting individual mitotic kinases. The book offers a critical summary of findings for researchers in pharmaceutics, biotechnology, cancer, cell-cycle regulation, signal transduction, and apoptosis.