Michael Stuart Kelly Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Here is something to be optimistic about. It's still early, but I really like the direction.MichaelScientists take a step closer to an elixir of youth By Richard AlleyneTelegraph20 Nov 2008Researchers believe boosting the amount of a naturally forming enzyme in the body could prevent cells dying and so lead to extended, healthier, lifespans..The protein telomerase helps maintain the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes which act like the ends of shoelaces and stop them unravelling.As we age, and our cells divide, these caps become frayed and shorter and eventually are so damaged that the cell dies. Scientists believe boosting our natural levels of telomerase could rejuvenate them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaalChatzaf Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Here is something to be optimistic about. It's still early, but I really like the direction.MichaelScientists take a step closer to an elixir of youth By Richard AlleyneTelegraph20 Nov 2008Researchers believe boosting the amount of a naturally forming enzyme in the body could prevent cells dying and so lead to extended, healthier, lifespans..The protein telomerase helps maintain the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes which act like the ends of shoelaces and stop them unravelling.As we age, and our cells divide, these caps become frayed and shorter and eventually are so damaged that the cell dies. Scientists believe boosting our natural levels of telomerase could rejuvenate them.Believed when seen. Ba'al Chatzaf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaer.ts Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 This is old news, and far too oversimplified. They have known about telomeres since at least the 1980's. Chromosomes have a limited number of telomeres, and each normal cell division removes one of the limited number of copies from the end. The common word for unlimited cell division is cancer. Messing with telemores in vivo is far different from keeping cells alive in a dish culture. Indeed, the normal way of making immortal cell cultures is to convert them into cancers. There is a transmissable cancer known in dogs, and there is a good chance that a transmissable cancer among Tasmanian Devils will drive them extinct. Seek a happy life and immortality in your work and children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brant Gaede Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 (edited) This is old news, and far too oversimplified. They have known about telomeres since at least the 1980's. Chromosomes have a limited number of telomeres, and each normal cell division removes one of the limited number of copies from the end. The common word for unlimited cell division is cancer. Messing with telemores in vivo is far different from keeping cells alive in a dish culture. Indeed, the normal way of making immortal cell cultures is to convert them into cancers. There is a transmissable cancer known in dogs, and there is a good chance that a transmissable cancer among Tasmanian Devils will drive them extinct. Seek a happy life and immortality in your work and children. A lot of stuff works or seems to work in test tubes. It usually stops there.--Brant Edited November 21, 2008 by Brant Gaede Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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