Addition of Telomerase to Somatic Cells

Introduction

Telomerase is an enzyme that is able to regenerate telomeres. In humans, it is found in some tissues, such as male germ cells, activated lymphocytes, and certain types of stem cell populations. If present in somatic cells, it can turn them cancerous following mutation. Telomere shortening is one of the factors which contribute to aging so it is worthwhile to look into such an addition to develop anti-aging treatments.

Figure 1: Chromosome, telomere and telomerase shown together. Image was made by the Chopra Foundation https://www.choprafoundation.org/education-research/past-studies/seduction-of-spirit-meditation-study/

Section 1 Genetics

Include some current research, with at least one image.

Section 2 Microbiome

Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase enzyme with its own RNA template. This makes it very similar to DNA viruses with the notable exception of capsids. Such similarities could be used to establish the idea that viruses may have fused with the cells of other organisms to give rise to telomerase in the course of evolution from the RNA world.

Conclusion

Overall text length should be at least 1,000 words (before counting references), with at least 2 images. Include at least 5 references under Reference section.

References

Edited by Nafeez Ishmam Ahmed, student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2019, Kenyon College.