Telomeres, cellular senescence, and aging: past and future
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Updated: Jul 7, 2025

SA-β-Galactosidase-Based Screening Assay for the Identification of Senotherapeutic Drugs
Published on: June 28, 2019
Madeline Eppard1,2, João F Passos3,4, Stella Victorelli5,6
1Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
Abstract:
Over half a century has passed since Alexey Olovnikov's groundbreaking proposal of the end-replication problem in 1971, laying the foundation for our understanding of telomeres and their pivotal role in cellular senescence. This review paper delves into the intricate and multifaceted relationship between cellular senescence, the influence of telomeres in this process, and the far-reaching consequences of telomeres in the context of aging and age-related diseases. Additionally, the paper investigates the various factors that can influence telomere shortening beyond the confines of the end-replication problem and how telomeres can exert their impact on aging, even in the absence of significant shortening. Ultimately, this paper stands as a tribute to the pioneering work of Olovnikov, whose seminal contributions established the solid foundation upon which our ongoing explorations of telomeres and the aging process are based.
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