Key Developments in the Telomerase Revolution


Book Description

This article collection reviews key developments in the medical applications of telomerase biochemistry and includes 22 open access research papers by various authors. Topics include: Insights into the evolution of mammalian telomerase: Platypus TERT shares similarities with genes of birds and other reptiles and localizes on sex chromosomes; Mesenchymal stem cells with high telomerase expression do not actively restore their chromosome arm specific telomere length pattern after exposure to ionizing radiation; A mutation in the H/ACA box of telomerase RNA component gene (TERC) in a young patient with myelodysplastic syndrome; siRNA inhibition of telomerase enhances the anti-cancer effect of doxorubicin in breast cancer cells; Effect of a qigong intervention program on telomerase activity and psychological stress in abused Chinese women: a randomized, wait-list controlled trial; Glucose restriction decreases telomerase activity and enhances its inhibitor response on breast cancer cells: possible extra-telomerase role of BIBR 1532; Telomerase immunity from bench to bedside: round one; Polymorphisms within the Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase gene (TERT) in four breeds of dogs selected for difference in lifespan and cancer susceptibility; Epstein-Barr virus and telomerase: from cell immortalization to therapy; Telomerase inhibition by siRNA causes senescence and apoptosis in Barrett's adenocarcinoma cells: mechanism and therapeutic potential; Inhibition of telomerase activity preferentially targets aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive cancer stem-like cells in lung cancer; PinX1 suppresses bladder urothelial carcinoma cell proliferation via the inhibition of telomerase activity and p16/cyclin D1 pathway; miR-375 activates p21 and suppresses telomerase activity by coordinately regulating HPV E6/E7, E6AP, CIP2A, and 14-3-3zeta; Targeting DNA-PKcs and telomerase in brain tumour cells; Inhibition of telomerase activity by HDV ribozyme in cancers; Telomerase inhibition improves tumor response to radiotherapy in a murine orthotopic model of human glioblastoma; Telomere length and telomerase activity in non-small cell lung cancer prognosis: clinical usefulness of a specific telomere status; Telomerase and breast cancer; Complex roles for telomeres and telomerase in breast carcinogenesis; Sequence variation in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) as a determinant of risk ofcardiovascular disease: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study; Aberrant gene expression profiles, during in vitro osteoblast differentiation, of telomerase deficient mouse bone marrow stromal stem cells (mBMSCs); The role of telomeres and telomerase in hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.




The Telomerase Revolution


Book Description

One of Wall Street Journal's "Best Books for Science Lovers" in 2015 Science is on the cusp of a revolutionary breakthrough. We now understand more about aging—and how to prevent and reverse it—than ever before. In recent years, our understanding of the nature of aging has grown exponentially, and dramatic life extension—even age reversal—has moved from science fiction to real possibility. Dr. Michael Fossel has been in the forefront of aging research for decades and is the author of the definitive textbook on human aging. In The Telomerase Revolution, he takes us on a detailed but highly accessible scientific journey, providing startling insights into the nature of human aging. Twenty years ago, there was still considerable debate of the nature of human aging, with a variety of competing theories in play. But scientific consensus is forming around the telomere theory of aging. The essence of this theory is that human aging is the result of cellular aging. Every time a cell reproduces, its telomeres (the tips of the chromosomes) shorten. With every shortening of the telomeres, the cell's ability to repair its molecules decreases. It ages. Human aging is the result of the aging of the body's trillions of cells. But some of our cells don't age. Sex cells and stem cells can reproduce indefinitely, without aging, because they create telomerase. Telomerase re-lengthens the telomeres, keeping these cells young. The Telomerase Revolution describes how telomerase will soon be used as a powerful therapeutic tool, with the potential to dramatically extend life spans and even reverse human aging. Telomerase-based treatments are already available, and have shown early promise, but much more potent treatments will become available over the next decade. The Telomerase Revolution is the definitive work on the latest science on human aging, covering both the theory and the clinical implications. It takes the reader to the forefront of the upcoming revolution in human medicine.




The Telomerase Revolution


Book Description




The Telomerase Revolution


Book Description

Named one of Wall Street Journal's Best Books for Science Lovers Science is on the cusp of a revolutionary breakthrough. We understand more about aging - and how to prevent it - than ever before. Now life - extension has moved from science fiction to real possibility. Dr. Michael Fossel has been at the forefront of aging research for decades. In The Telomerase Revolution, he takes us on a scientific journey, with startling insights into the nature of human aging. Scientists now know that human aging is the result of cellular aging. Every time a cell reproduces, its telomeres - the tips of the chromosomes - shorten. With every shortening of the telomeres, the cell's ability to repair its molecules decreases. Human aging is the result of the aging of the body's trillions of cells. However the enzyme telomerase re - lengthens the telomeres, keeping these cells young. The Telomerase Revolution describes how telomerase is starting to be used as a powerful therapeutic tool, with the potential to dramatically extend life spans. It offers promise for treating Alzheimer's and many other diseases of aging. 'A fascinating story that pulls together at last a single coherent theory of how and why growing old leads to so many different forms of illness. It also offers a tantalizing promise that we might soon know not only how to cure and prevent age - related diseases, but how to reset the aging process itself. Michael Fossel is a radical optimist.' - Matt Ridley, author of Genome and The Rational Optimist.




The Telomere Effect


Book Description

The New York Times bestselling book coauthored by the Nobel Prize winner who discovered telomerase and telomeres' role in the aging process and the health psychologist who has done original research into how specific lifestyle and psychological habits can protect telomeres, slowing disease and improving life. Have you wondered why some sixty-year-olds look and feel like forty-year-olds and why some forty-year-olds look and feel like sixty-year-olds? While many factors contribute to aging and illness, Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn discovered a biological indicator called telomerase, the enzyme that replenishes telomeres, which protect our genetic heritage. Dr. Blackburn and Dr. Elissa Epel's research shows that the length and health of one's telomeres are a biological underpinning of the long-hypothesized mind-body connection. They and other scientists have found that changes we can make to our daily habits can protect our telomeres and increase our health spans (the number of years we remain healthy, active, and disease-free). The Telemere Effect reveals how Blackburn and Epel's findings, together with research from colleagues around the world, cumulatively show that sleep quality, exercise, aspects of diet, and even certain chemicals profoundly affect our telomeres, and that chronic stress, negative thoughts, strained relationships, and even the wrong neighborhoods can eat away at them. Drawing from this scientific body of knowledge, they share lists of foods and suggest amounts and types of exercise that are healthy for our telomeres, mind tricks you can use to protect yourself from stress, and information about how to protect your children against developing shorter telomeres, from pregnancy through adolescence. And they describe how we can improve our health spans at the community level, with neighborhoods characterized by trust, green spaces, and safe streets. The Telemere Effect will make you reassess how you live your life on a day-to-day basis. It is the first book to explain how we age at a cellular level and how we can make simple changes to keep our chromosomes and cells healthy, allowing us to stay disease-free longer and live more vital and meaningful lives.







The Telomerase Revolution


Book Description

One of Wall Street Journal's "Best Books for Science Lovers" in 2015 Science is on the cusp of a revolutionary breakthrough. We now understand more about aging—and how to prevent and reverse it—than ever before. In recent years, our understanding of the nature of aging has grown exponentially, and dramatic life extension—even age reversal—has moved from science fiction to real possibility. Dr. Michael Fossel has been in the forefront of aging research for decades and is the author of the definitive textbook on human aging. In The Telomerase Revolution, he takes us on a detailed but highly accessible scientific journey, providing startling insights into the nature of human aging. Twenty years ago, there was still considerable debate of the nature of human aging, with a variety of competing theories in play. But scientific consensus is forming around the telomere theory of aging. The essence of this theory is that human aging is the result of cellular aging. Every time a cell reproduces, its telomeres (the tips of the chromosomes) shorten. With every shortening of the telomeres, the cell's ability to repair its molecules decreases. It ages. Human aging is the result of the aging of the body's trillions of cells. But some of our cells don't age. Sex cells and stem cells can reproduce indefinitely, without aging, because they create telomerase. Telomerase re-lengthens the telomeres, keeping these cells young. The Telomerase Revolution describes how telomerase will soon be used as a powerful therapeutic tool, with the potential to dramatically extend life spans and even reverse human aging. Telomerase-based treatments are already available, and have shown early promise, but much more potent treatments will become available over the next decade. The Telomerase Revolution is the definitive work on the latest science on human aging, covering both the theory and the clinical implications. It takes the reader to the forefront of the upcoming revolution in human medicine.










Today's Curiosity is Tomorrow's Cure


Book Description

Basic curiosity-driven biomedical science has delivered many of today’s most significant medical advances. This book provides clearly explained examples from recent biomedical history and includes convincing arguments for sustaining a robust portfolio of basic research. Intended as an engaging read, which will delight undergraduate and graduate students, as well as scientific researchers, it is full-throated advocacy of basic science. Illustrations and examples include the discoveries of penicillin and insulin, and the breakthrough elucidation of the genetic code. Providing both compelling rationale in support of basic science, and a fascinating look through the history of modern biomedical research, this book highlights with stirring examples why basic biomedical research is so important, and how so many key advances in medicine are derived from basic research. The book also offers a rationale for scientific inquiry and a broader understanding of the history of modern biomedical research missing from today’s classrooms. Key Features 1) Provides clear explanations of great scientific discoveries 2) Illustrates connections between basic research findings and modern medicine 3) Includes compelling graphics/diagrams/illustrations 4) Accessible to the general public 5) Offers background for more specialized readers, including researchers as well as those with advanced degrees. Related Titles Staddon, J. Scientific Method: How Science Works, Fails to Work, and Pretends to Work (ISBN 978-1-1382-9536-0) Helliwell, J. R. Skills for Scientific Life (ISBN 978-1-4987-6875-7) MacRitchie, F. Scientific Research as a Career (ISBN 978-1-4398-6965-9)