Login

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

July 25, 2025, 03:40:44 am

Author Topic: Telomeres  (Read 862 times)  Share 

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ealam2

  • Victorian
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 440
  • Respect: +15
Telomeres
« on: February 22, 2013, 06:25:17 pm »
0
What does everyone think about telomeres, telomerase and their possible benefits?

alondouek

  • Subject Review God
  • Honorary Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Superstar
  • *******
  • Posts: 2903
  • Oh to be a Gooner!
  • Respect: +316
  • School: Leibler Yavneh College
  • School Grad Year: 2012
Re: Telomeres
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2013, 06:39:25 pm »
0
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?
2013-2016
Majoring in Genetics and Developmental Biology

2012 ATAR: 96.55
English [48] Biology [40]

Need a driving instructor? Mobility Driving School

ealam2

  • Victorian
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 440
  • Respect: +15
Re: Telomeres
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2013, 07:51:42 pm »
0
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

  • Subject Review God
  • Honorary Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Superstar
  • *******
  • Posts: 2903
  • Oh to be a Gooner!
  • Respect: +316
  • School: Leibler Yavneh College
  • School Grad Year: 2012
Re: Telomeres
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2013, 08:00:59 pm »
0
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!?
2013-2016
Majoring in Genetics and Developmental Biology

2012 ATAR: 96.55
English [48] Biology [40]

Need a driving instructor? Mobility Driving School