Health and Medicine (Audio) Explorations of Telomere Biology in the Context of Human Aging with Elizabeth Blackburn - Sanford Stem Cell Symposium 2024
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Nov 8, 2024 
Elizabeth Blackburn, Ph.D., a pioneering researcher in telomere biology and winner of the Nobel Prize, explores the intriguing link between telomeres and human aging. She reveals how telomere regulation varies significantly between insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant individuals. Blackburn discusses the impact of stress and glucose on telomere health and presents fascinating findings from studies on hibernating lemurs, showcasing their stable telomere conditions during dormancy. Her insights suggest that telomere maintenance may be crucial for detecting early metabolic dysfunction.
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Telomere Dynamics
- Telomeres, protective DNA-protein structures, are highly dynamic.
- Their proteins rapidly turn over in seconds, making them adaptable.
Consequences of Short Telomeres
- Short telomeres trigger persistent DNA damage signals, causing cell senescence and dysfunction.
- This can create a vicious cycle of inflammation and further telomere shortening.
Telomere Length and Disease Risk
- Human genetics studies reveal that shorter telomeres increase the risk of age-related diseases.
- Monogenetic diseases show even 50% gene expression isn't sufficient for telomere maintenance in humans.