SHATTERED: The Sound Barrier of Aging

The maximum possible life span of a species is determined mainly by the length of its telomeres, strands of repeating subunits that determine the number of remaining cell divisions, found at the end of each coiled DNA. Each time a cell divides, the telomere is shortened by one sub-unit; when they are all used up, the cell has come to the end of its living potential and dies. When a child is conceived, an enzyme - telomerase - sets the telomeres back to their maximum potential.

About two years ago, scientists shattered the sound barrier of aging research when they inserted the telomerase gene into human cells, making those cells go far beyond their normal division potential. As of today, such cell cultures are going strong, without cancer, and are equivalent to 500 year old cells (Science, 1998).

"But this is just the beginning! Learn more about how it all works, from making your own embryonic stem cells to using them to treat literally any disease. Check out Stem Cell Folder and IAAM Stem Cell Research at E-Books.