If American scientists Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak had their way, they would have been receiving their Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine from Alfred Noel himself. The three researchers were honored for their discovery of how the chromosomes are safeguarded by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. Their study contribute aided in the overall acknowledgement that telomeres defended the chromosomes from becoming deteriorated and recognized telomerase as an enzyme meant to maintain the length and reliability of the telomere.
From a rudimentary perspective, telomeres are the end of a chromosome that acts as a marker of the cells past record and the ability of that cell to duplicate itself. Thirty years of research has shown that telomeres are primary components in a few biological sectors such as cancer and aging processes. Since humans have a relatively lengthy life expectancy and yet their telomeres are on the diminutive side, scientists believe that as telomeres shorten it has an unfavorable effect on human longevity and be a cellular level decision maker for human aging, organ life and maybe even system functionality.
Studies of late, specifically conducted by the Nobel recipients themselves, displayed the subsistence of an exact enzyme, telomerase, with a capacity for repairing the outer reaches of the telomeres and in doing so, keep the cell in good working condition. A professor from the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics [IAGG] World Executive Committee stated that the conclusions garnered from medical investigation reveals that shortened telomere length may lead to a progressive state of physiological age and a greater predilection for contracting age associated disease and illness. The findings from these studies bring to light novel insights on the uncovering of and safeguarding from the threat of age connected diseases.
A Giant Step Ahead For Geriatric Medicine
The process of aging continues to be a huge field of research and all various methods and techniques have yet to reveal themselves. The discoveries thus far are a clear and significant forward movement holding the promise of recruiting youthful, scientific minds into this clinical sector. A real boost to the research and practice of Geriatric medicine and Gerontology. The research breakthroughs such as those by the award recipients open doors into the area of life extension, which are truly exciting. Real progress is being made in a field once considered moribund and with a rapidly aging population has reached the vanguard of real potential evolutionary achievement.
Sat, Dec 12, 2009
Anti Aging, Bioscience, Gerontology, Longevity