Chapter 1 Introduction -- Chapter 2 Unconventional functions of transcription factors -- GAGA transcription factor -- Heterochromatin protein 1 -- Retinoblastoma protein -- STAT -- ATF-2 -- NF-kB -- Chapter 3 STAT and HP1, in their unconventional roles, promote longevity and protect against DNA damage and cancer -- STAT and HP1 promote longevity -- STAT and HP1 protect against DNA damage -- Increased levels of STAT and HP1 hinder carcinogenesis in a mouse xenograft model -- Chapter 4 The possible biological significance of transcription factors' unconventional functions -- The epigenome -- Processes in the cell nucleus -- Future Work.