Telomerase Reverses Aging Process
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Summary
In short, this article highlights the importance telomeres in the aging process and explains how this process can be slowed down or even stopped by “reawakening the enzyme in cells where it has stopped working” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). In doing so, the article suggests that society should “think about telomerase as a serious anti-ageing intervention" whereas some suggest that “ramping up telomerase in humans could potentially encourage the growth of tumours” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). Research has been conducted on mice by injecting them with a mutation that speeds up the aging process and implementing the enzyme, telomerase, and resulted in some shocking results. Ronald DePinho, a cancer geneticist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, describes the outcome as "a near 'Ponce de Leon' effect’ — a reference to the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, who went in search of the mythical Fountain of Youth” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). DePinho observes the mice and states that they “grew back to normal and the animals regained their fertility. Other organs, such as the spleen, liver and intestines, recuperated from their degenerated state” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). It also showed that the “pulse of telomerase” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010) was able to reverse the effects caused by the brain ageing. The mice in this experiment have increased in brain size compared to animals without the enzyme and/or neural progenitor cells. The article concludes that the engineered telomerase can prevent the shortage of telomeres in our DNA strands but can also speed up the growth of tumors. Overall, DePinho says “this may be one of several things you need to do in order to extend lifespan and extend healthy living" (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010).
Personal Opinion
This article was intriguing, causing readers to really think about the possibilities in life and how much humanity can achieve. It really outlines that with the power of technology and continuous advances in science, humans can achieve something as impossible as dramatically extending lifespans. One thing I found interesting was that “there is evidence that activating telomerase might prevent tumours. If the treatment can be made safe, he adds, "it could lead to breakthroughs in restoring organ function in the elderly” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010) and treating all kinds diseases caused by aging.
Impacts
This article impacts/affects two groups; citizens and professionals.
Relevance to Genetics
In terms of genetics, this article demonstrates a direct correlation with DNA replication. For instance, the article states that “chromosomes have caps of repetitive DNA called telomeres at their ends. Every time cells divide, their telomeres shorten, which eventually prompts them to stop dividing and die. Telomerase prevents this decline in some kinds of cells, including stem cells, by lengthening telomeres, and the hope was that activating the enzyme could slow cellular ageing” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). In order for a cell to divide, it must first go through the process of interphase. Not only that but this quote also touches upon the purpose of telomeres, a section covered in the notes discussed in class.
In short, this article highlights the importance telomeres in the aging process and explains how this process can be slowed down or even stopped by “reawakening the enzyme in cells where it has stopped working” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). In doing so, the article suggests that society should “think about telomerase as a serious anti-ageing intervention" whereas some suggest that “ramping up telomerase in humans could potentially encourage the growth of tumours” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). Research has been conducted on mice by injecting them with a mutation that speeds up the aging process and implementing the enzyme, telomerase, and resulted in some shocking results. Ronald DePinho, a cancer geneticist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, describes the outcome as "a near 'Ponce de Leon' effect’ — a reference to the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, who went in search of the mythical Fountain of Youth” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). DePinho observes the mice and states that they “grew back to normal and the animals regained their fertility. Other organs, such as the spleen, liver and intestines, recuperated from their degenerated state” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). It also showed that the “pulse of telomerase” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010) was able to reverse the effects caused by the brain ageing. The mice in this experiment have increased in brain size compared to animals without the enzyme and/or neural progenitor cells. The article concludes that the engineered telomerase can prevent the shortage of telomeres in our DNA strands but can also speed up the growth of tumors. Overall, DePinho says “this may be one of several things you need to do in order to extend lifespan and extend healthy living" (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010).
Personal Opinion
This article was intriguing, causing readers to really think about the possibilities in life and how much humanity can achieve. It really outlines that with the power of technology and continuous advances in science, humans can achieve something as impossible as dramatically extending lifespans. One thing I found interesting was that “there is evidence that activating telomerase might prevent tumours. If the treatment can be made safe, he adds, "it could lead to breakthroughs in restoring organ function in the elderly” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010) and treating all kinds diseases caused by aging.
Impacts
This article impacts/affects two groups; citizens and professionals.
- Citizens are the possibility of eternal youth can change ones perspective on their life. They can think about doing things they have never done before like traveling and start taking risks in life. It opens up a world of possibility for citizens and
- Professionals are affected by this article because if eternal youth is possible then several doctor specialists such as Geriatricians, “a sub-specialty of internal medicine and family medicine that focuses on health care of elderly people” (Health Care Communities, 2008), will lose their jobs since barely anyone will age to the elderly state. On the other hand, jobs can be created since eternal youth can lead to longer years of labour and more demand for products such as technology, transportation, food, resources and clothing.
Relevance to Genetics
In terms of genetics, this article demonstrates a direct correlation with DNA replication. For instance, the article states that “chromosomes have caps of repetitive DNA called telomeres at their ends. Every time cells divide, their telomeres shorten, which eventually prompts them to stop dividing and die. Telomerase prevents this decline in some kinds of cells, including stem cells, by lengthening telomeres, and the hope was that activating the enzyme could slow cellular ageing” (Jaskelioff, M. et al., 2010). In order for a cell to divide, it must first go through the process of interphase. Not only that but this quote also touches upon the purpose of telomeres, a section covered in the notes discussed in class.
References
Health Care Communities. (2008, November 14). What is a Geriatric Physician? Retrieved November 14, 013, from remedy's healthcommunities.com: http://www.healthcommunities.com/health-care-providers/what-is-a- geriatrician.shtml
Jaskelioff, M. et al. Nature doi:10.1038/nature09603 (2010).
Jaskelioff, M. et al. Nature doi:10.1038/nature09603 (2010).