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Inside the nucleus of virtually all of our cells are chromosomes, 46 in
all. At the tips of these chromosomes are telomeres, repeating sequences
of genetic material that shorten each time a cell divides. Cell division
is important because many cells in our body (e.g., those that line our
digestive tract) must be replaced over time. When a cell's telomeres reach
a critically short length, however, that cell can no longer replicate.
Its structure and function begins to fail, and ultimately, the cell dies.
Some have likened the process of telomere shortening to a genetic biological
clock that winds down over time. Today, researchers continue to probe
the telomeric "time piece," hoping to better understand the aging process
and fight diseases, particularly cancer.
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What
are telomeres? Click here.
