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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
Telomeres: unlocking the mystery of cell division and aging
Guido R Zanni1, Jeannette Y Wick
1psychologist and health systems consultant, Alexandria, Virginia.
Abstract:
Telomeres are DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes, protecting them from fraying and fusing together during replication. During replication, telomeres lose some of their genetic material but are repaired by the ribonucleoprotein telomerase. Both telomeres and telomerase are linked to cell senescence and apoptosis, and research suggests they play key roles in aging, cancer, hereditary syndromes, and chronic diseases. Several theories of aging are reviewed along with the potential impact of telomerase in developing new treatments.
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