Nobel Prize for Medicine
Nobel Prize for Medicine
The Nobel Prize for medicine this year goes to three American researchers who have discovered how the body protects the chromosomes which house important genetic code.
The work of Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szotect has revealed how chromosomes are copied giving more clues as to the cause of human ageing, cancer and stem cells.
The answer is found at the end of the chromosomes which are called the telomeres as well as the enzyme which forms them, which is known as telomerase.
The 46 chromosomes contain our genome which is written in the DNA. When a cell is set to divide, The DNA molecules, which are arranged on two strands, are then copied. But scientists have noticed that the end of one of the two DNA strands cannot be copied.
The chromosomes should therefore be shortened every time a cells divides- but this is not often the case. If the telomeres did continually shorten, cells would age very quickly. However, if the telomere length is maintained, the cell would have eternal life which happens in cancer cells and also poses a problem.
However this year’s prize winners have solved the mystery by uncovering how the telomere functions as well as the enzyme that copies it.
They have also shed light on a unique DNA sequence in the telomeres which prevents the chromosomes from degradation. It is hoped the research will lead the way to new cures for cancer as well as some inherited diseases which are caused by defects in telomerase.
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