Nobel Prize discovery opens new perspectives for detection and prevention of age-related diseases

Dec 11 2009

This year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three American scientists Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak for the discovery of "how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase”. The research contributed to the understanding of how telomeres protect chromosomes from degradation and identified telomerase, the enzyme that preserves telomere length and integrity.

Roughly speaking, telomeres are the tails of chromosomes; they are an indicator of history and replicative potential of the cell. Research in the last three decades indicates that telomeres are key factors in several biological fields such as cancer and ageing. Because of the long lifespan of humans and their short telomeres, attrition in telomere length may be a major determinant of human ageing not only at cellular level, but also at organ and perhaps systemic levels.

Recent studies, notably by the Nobel Prize winners have shown the existence of a specific enzyme, telomerase, capable of restoring the extremity of telomeres and thus keep the cell in “good shape”. Professor Athanase BENETOS (Nancy, France), Member of the IAGG World Executive Committee explains: “Results of recent clinical studies suggest that subjects with shorter telomere length could have a more advanced biological age and an increased predisposition for the development of age-related diseases. These discoveries open new perspectives for the detection and prevention of the risk of age-related diseases.”

A leap forward in Geriatric Medicine

“The ageing process remains a large domain of research and all mechanisms are not depicted yet. These recent discoveries are a real step forward to attract young scientist to the new fields of research and clinical practice in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology”, said Professor Baeyens, President International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) for the European Region.

SOURCE International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics