Telomeres

[ealam2]

What does everyone think about telomeres, telomerase and their possible benefits?

[alondouek]

As someone about to initiate a degree in biomedical science, this area makes me very, very excited.

Telomerase has so many potential applications that to engineer ways of utilising this enzyme for beneficial ways is one of (in my opinion) the most exciting frontiers in science.

Did you know that most - if not all - of the longest-living people have a hyperactive version of telomerase that actively rebuilds telomeres?

[ealam2]

As someone about to initiate a degree in biomedical science, this area makes me very, very excited.

Telomerase has so many potential applications that to engineer ways of utilising this enzyme for beneficial ways is one of (in my opinion) the most exciting frontiers in science.

Did you know that most - if not all - of the longest-living people have a hyperactive version of telomerase that actively rebuilds telomeres?

yes! I was reading several articles about it because it's just so fascinating and they can use telomerase (? I think it was) to kill off cancer cells but that there are other effects on the immune system and other parts of the body.

[alondouek]

Yeah, if I remember correctly telomerase helps cancer cells propagate really quickly and really efficiently, which is why the body almost always cannot get rid of it organically (chemotherapy outright kills the cells that are infected, at the cost of other, healthy cells).

So, they think that by targeting and 'turning off' telomerase in cancer cells, the spread and effect of cancer can be limited.

How cool is that!?