The t
elomere is a protein (ribonucleoprotein) complex found at the edges of a chromosome, and a little bit is lost, or shortened, every time the cell divides. Depending on age and site, a cell then dies after between 20 to 100 divisions. (Those yellow spots are the telomeres.)The concept was envisioned by Cornell cytogeneticist, Barbara McClintock, although she was a faculty member of the University of Missouri at Columbia when she published her paper in 1939 on the subject. She primarily worked on maize, and went on to win the Nobel Prize in 1983 at the age of 81.
Telomerase is an enzyme found in the telomere region, and was discovered by Carol Greider in 1984, working, it is said, on Christmas Day. Telomeres can be lengthened by the activation of telomerase, and could be the key to immortality. However, while aging is thus slowed, there is an increase in vulnerability to cancer. Geron Corporation granted a license to TA Sciences Center to market a telomerase activator agent extracted from the Chinese Astragalus plant. Human trials for extending lifespan are expected within the decade.
The bottom line is that research for curing cancer or heart failure is a necessary step towards finding the secret for immortality. Get to know your telomeres and telomerases.
-
Telomerase is an enzyme found in the telomere region, and was discovered by Carol Greider in 1984, working, it is said, on Christmas Day. Telomeres can be lengthened by the activation of telomerase, and could be the key to immortality. However, while aging is thus slowed, there is an increase in vulnerability to cancer. Geron Corporation granted a license to TA Sciences Center to market a telomerase activator agent extracted from the Chinese Astragalus plant. Human trials for extending lifespan are expected within the decade.
The bottom line is that research for curing cancer or heart failure is a necessary step towards finding the secret for immortality. Get to know your telomeres and telomerases.
-
The Dow Jones Industrials slipped 36 to 9544, with world markets almost all up. This summer rally has most surprised. Why? It seems almost predictable that there will be a black day or week, and hopefully not a month, or longer, in October. Some say hold on to your bucks to jump in sometime this Fall. Gold increased $6/toz to $956 and crude is now at $73/barrel.
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Well, Tropical Storm Danny, slightly weakened to 40 MPH, seems headed in the direction of North Carolina for at least minor impact on Saturday and then Canada on Sunday, but, interestingly enough, a tropical storm warning has not yet been issue. There is another disturbance in the mid-Atlantic heading in a slightly more southern route than Danny.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
In the West Pacific, Tropical Storm Krovanh at 55 MPH popped up about a thousand miles southeast of Tokyo, and seems headed straight for that city. A Monday landfall is anticipated.
Nothing is currently threatening Hawaii.
-
No comments:
Post a Comment