The Telomere Effect

Ageing is a relentless process. Yet why are some people healthy, alert and even running marathons into their 80s, while some far younger people look old, feel exhausted and are mentally clouded? DR CATHERINE DAVIES explains how part of this answer may lie in our telomeres.

- Dr Catherine Davies

While the medical community has made great strides in DNA science and how one should eat, exercise, detoxify and medicate accordingly, part of the ageing process may also be due to “telomere science”. 

In 2009, Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostek rocked the scientific community when they were awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine. What was their amazing discovery, and how can it help us understand more about our own ageing process?

Telomeres uncovered 

The discovery of the moment was all about telomeres and telomerase. Blackburn et al. discovered that telomeres are critical structures found at the end of chromosomes that are made up of numerous copies of nucleotides or base pairs. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from not only degradation, but also from being recognised as double-stranded breaks. Without telomeres, chromosomes would fuse and genetic instability occur. 

The classic analogy of the shoelace has been used to describe the telomere’s function. The aglet, or protective cap at the end of shoelaces, protects the shoelace from fraying, just as a telomere protects chromosomes from being damaged. 

Long telomeres are “good” for chromosomes, and short telomeres are associated with premature ageing and decreased lifespan.