Posts Tagged ‘chromosome’

Telomeres have been a focus of anti-aging research for quite sometime. Unfortunately, no breakthroughs have yet revealed any glimmer of the fountain of youth. Telomeres are pieces of DNA that cap the ends of our chromosomes. Each time a cell divides (which is required for us to stay alive) telomeres get shorter and shorter until they reach a point where division is halted, thus putting bodily cells into a state where they can no longer renew themselves – thus is part of the aging process. However, new research focusing on Ashkenazi Jews has found that those who lived the longest had inherited a hyperactive version of an enzyme called telomerase that is able to rebuild telomeres. “In effect, centenarians tend to have a top-notch body mechanic at work 24/7 repairing the hardware that runs the body, versus a normal person whose body’s cellular control center is left to wear out with time.” Will this startling research lead to future advances in the pursuit of longevity? Only time will tell. [via Yahoo! News]

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Stanford University researchers have developed a blood test to determine whether a woman’s unborn child has Down syndrome, a genetic condition that occurs when a baby has three, rather than two, copies of chromosome 21. Currently, there are screening blood tests used to determine the likelihood that a child has Down syndrome – but they are usually performed between the 16th and 18th weeks of pregnancy. Amniocentesis can diagnose Down syndrome, but it can potentially cause an abortion. The Stanford test is diagnostic and can be done much earlier at 10 weeks, allowing parents to make more informed decisions about their pregnancy. The new test has yet to go into large trial testing. However, Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association, says “There is no question that these non-invasive tests will be introduced in the next few years.  Full story. Share your opinion.

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