Possible Link Studied Between Childhood Abuse and Early Cellular Aging
Children who suffer physical or emotional abuse may be faced with accelerated cellular aging as adults, according to new research from Butler Hospital and Brown University. view more (2009-11-23)
Common weed could provide clues on aging and cancer
A common weed and human cancer cells could provide some very uncommon details about DNA structure and its relationship with telomeres and how they affect cellular aging and cancer, according to a team led by scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of Cincinnati (UC). view more (2009-10-27)
Mice regain ability to extend telomeres suggesting potential for dyskeratosis congenita therapy
The human genetic disease dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is an autosomal dominant disease that leads to abnormalities in tissues with a rapid cell turnover - the skin, nails, bone marrow, lungs and gut. view more (2009-10-19)
National Science Foundation congratulates Nobel Laureates in medicine/physiology, chemistry and economics
The National Science Foundation (NSF) congratulates the 2009 Nobel laureates, particularly those who have received NSF funding over the years: Jack W. Szostak, who shared the prize in physiology or medicine; Thomas A. Steitz, who shared the prize in chemistry; and Elinor Ostrom and Oliver E. Williamson who earned the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in... view more... (2009-10-15)
Baumann Lab demonstrates role of protein in distinguishing chromosome ends from DNA breaks
The Stowers Institute's Baumann Lab has demonstrated how human cells protect chromosome ends from misguided repairs that can lead to cancer. view more (2009-09-18)
Researchers examine mechanisms that help cancer cells proliferate
A process that limits the number of times a cell divides works much differently than had been thought, opening the door to potential new anticancer therapies, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center report in the Aug. 7 issue of the journal Cell. view more (2009-09-02)
Researchers identify protein-telomere interactions that could be key in treating cancer
A team of researchers from The Wistar Institute have shown that a large non-coding RNA in mammals and yeast plays a central role in helping maintain telomeres, the tips of chromosomes that contain important genetic information and help regulate cell division. view more (2009-09-01)
Protein plays unexpected role protecting chromosome tips
A protein specialist that opens the genomic door for DNA repair and gene expression also turns out to be a multi-tasking workhorse that protects the tips of chromosomes and dabbles in a protein-destruction complex, a team lead by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reports in the Aug. 13 edition of Molecular Cell. view more (2009-08-14)
Handle with care: Telomeres resemble DNA fragile sites
Telomeres, the repetitive sequences of DNA at the ends of linear chromosomes, have an important function: They protect vulnerable chromosome ends from molecular attack. view more (2009-07-10)
First sister study results reinforce the importance of healthy living
Women who maintain a healthy weight and who have lower perceived stress may be less likely to have chromosome changes associated with aging than obese and stressed women, according to a pilot study that was part of the Sister Study. view more (2009-03-17)
Immune cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis have prematurely aged chromosomes
Telomeres, structures that cap the ends of cells' chromosomes, grow shorter with each round of cell division unless a specialized enzyme replenishes them. Maintaining telomeres is thought to be important for healthy aging and cancer prevention. view more (2009-03-05)
Enhanced skin cancer risk linked to defects in cellular aging controls
Cell lifespan is limited by telomeres, DNA sequences that cap chromosomes and control the number of times a cell may be copied. A new study reported in Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM), dmm.biologists.org, describes how telomere dysfunction in skin cells can lead to increased skin cancer risk and pigmentation. view more (2009-02-23)
UT Southwestern researchers identify gene linked to inherited form of fatal lung disease
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have determined that a mutation in a gene known for its role in defending the lungs against invading pathogens is responsible for some inherited cases of a lethal lung disease affecting older adults. The same mutation may also be associated with lung cancer, the researchers said. view more (2008-12-22)
Researchers use chemical from medicinal plants to fight HIV
Like other kinds of cells, immune cells lose the ability to divide as they age because a part of their chromosomes known as a telomere becomes progressively shorter with cell division. As a result, the cell changes in many ways, and its disease fighting ability is compromised. view more (2008-11-10)
When cells go bad
When a cell's chromosomes lose their ends, the cell usually kills itself to stem the genetic damage. But University of Utah biologists discovered how those cells can evade suicide and start down the path to cancer. view more (2008-10-01)
Scientists identify possible cause of endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition whereby patches of the inner lining of the womb appear in parts of the body other than the womb cavity. It can cause severe pain and affects approximately 15% of women of reproductive age. Endometriosis is also associated with infertility, with 50% of infertile women affected by the condition. view more (2008-08-06)
UGA researchers discover mechanism that explains how cancer enzyme winds up on ends of chromosomes
Human cancer cells divide and conquer. Unless physicians can control that division with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, the wildly dividing cells will eventually destroy a person's life. view more (2008-07-11)
Researchers find way to make tumor cells easier to destroy
Tumors have a unique vulnerability that can be exploited to make them more sensitive to heat and radiation, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report. view more (2008-05-07)
Evolution of human genome's 'guardian' gives people unique protections from DNA damage
Human evolution has created enhancements in key genes connected to the p53 regulatory network - the so-called guardian of the genome - by creating additional safeguards in human genes to boost the network's ability to guard against DNA damage that could cause cancer or a variety of genetic diseases. view more (2008-01-17)
Hotspots found for chromosome gene swapping
Crossovers and double-strand DNA breaks do not occur randomly on yeast chromosomes during meiosis, but are greatly influenced by the proximity of the chromosome's telomere, according to research in the laboratory of Whitehead Fellow Andreas Hochwagen. view more (2007-11-30)
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