American researchers Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak won the 2009 Nobel Prize in
medicine for predicting and discovering an enzyme called telomerase. Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn has recorded the
following seminars explaining telomere and telomerase.
Lecture Overview
Telomerase, a specialized ribonucleprotein reverse transcriptase, is important for long-term eukaryotic cell
proliferation and genomic stability, because it replenishes the DNA at telomeres. Thus depending on cell type
telomerase partially or completely (depending on cell type) counteracts the progressive shortening of telomeres
that otherwise occurs. Telomerase is highly active in many human malignancies, and a potential target for
anti-cancer approaches. Furthermore, recent collaborative studies have shown the relationship between accelerated
telomere shortening and life stress and that low telomerase levels are associated with six prominent risk factors
for cardiovascular disease. Seminar Length 49 minutes.
Lecture Overview
Telomerase, a specialized ribonucleprotein reverse transcriptase, is important for long-term eukaryotic cell
proliferation and genomic stability, because it replenishes the DNA at telomeres. Thus depending on cell type
telomerase partially or completely (depending on cell type) counteracts the progressive shortening of telomeres
that otherwise occurs. Telomerase is highly active in many human malignancies, and a potential target for
anti-cancer approaches. Furthermore, recent collaborative studies have shown the relationship between accelerated
telomere shortening and life stress and that low telomerase levels are associated with six prominent risk factors
for cardiovascular disease. Seminar Length 27 minutes.
Lecture Overview
Telomerase, a specialized ribonucleprotein reverse transcriptase, is important for long-term eukaryotic cell
proliferation and genomic stability, because it replenishes the DNA at telomeres. Thus depending on cell type
telomerase partially or completely (depending on cell type) counteracts the progressive shortening of telomeres
that otherwise occurs. Telomerase is highly active in many human malignancies, and a potential target for
anti-cancer approaches. Furthermore, recent collaborative studies have shown the relationship between accelerated
telomere shortening and life stress and that low telomerase levels are associated with six prominent risk factors
for cardiovascular disease. Seminar Length 36 minutes.
Return from Telomere and Telomerase Learning Center to SpectraCell Telomere Testing.