Question 1

How do scientists study telomeres?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study telomeres by observing their structure and understanding the end-replication problem. They examine the role of the enzyme telomerase in extending telomeres and conduct genome-scale studies to map genes involved in telomere length control.

Researchers are developing telomerase inhibitors and using physics and technology to discover new structures of telomeric DNA.

They also study telomere length in different tissues to understand its implications for aging and disease. These methods provide insights into the structure and function of telomeres, their role in aging and disease, and potential therapeutic targets.

Question 2

Why are telomeres important in cellular biology?

Accepted Answer

Telomeres are protective “caps” at the ends of chromosomes. They safeguard the internal regions of chromosomes from damage and are worn down slightly in each round of DNA replication. This process is crucial for maintaining chromosomal integrity and stability.

Question 3

How do we measure telomere length?

Accepted Answer

Telomere length can be measured using several methods:

Quantitative PCR: This method measures absolute telomere length (aTL) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). It involves introducing an oligomer standard to measure aTL.

Molecular Combing: This technique measures telomere length on stretched DNA fibers. It can accurately measure telomere length in healthy individuals and identify critically short telomeres in patients with telomere biology disorders.

Teloyears Test: This test measures average telomere length by analyzing the DNA found in the many thousands of white blood cells (leukocytes) in just one drop of blood.

Question 4

What is the average telomere length in humans?

Accepted Answer

The average telomere length in healthy human cells varies from 5 (60–70 years old) to 20(<10 years) kilobases (source). Note that “average” can depend on many factors including age, lifestyle, and health status.

Question 5

What is the connection between telomeres and Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Telomeres, the protective caps of our chromosomes, shorten with each cell cycle due to the end replication problem. This process, termed telomere attrition, is associated with many age-related disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Shorter telomere length in white blood cells has been linked to increased markers of brain degeneration and a higher risk of dementia. Conversely, longer telomere length has been associated with fewer brain markers of neurodegeneration and a lower risk of dementia.

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