'Immortality enzyme' wins Nobel Prize for Medicine (Two woman and one man share the prize)

digitaljournal.com ^ | Oct 5, 2009 | Paul Wallis

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Researchers investigating an enzyme which permits unlimited cell replication have received the Nobel Prize for Medicine. The enzyme is called telomerase. Telomerase affects telomeres, parts of cells which govern cell replication.

According to Bloomberg, human genes are packed into chromosomes, which are topped by telomeres. Telomeres get shorter each time a cell divides -- except in cells with the telomerase enzyme. "When the caps get too short, the cell can’t divide anymore and dies. While the telomerase enzyme isn’t active in most human cells, which stop reproducing and eventually die, it has been found in cancer cells, the Nobel committee for the medicine prize said in a statement on its Web site."

Telomeres, when discovered a decade ago, became a subject of intense scientific speculation. Their apparent capacity to define cell replication, naturally, was a subject of equally intense debate, and ways of manipulating them were considered in a menagerie of efforts ranging from the science fiction approach to the fatalistic.

The prize was awarded to American researchers Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider, and Jack W. Szostak.

This discovery is already showing signs of being a major breakthrough for medicine across a huge possible field of uses. Telomerase isn’t yet in the ballpark for therapeutic use, but it has already been the subject of some extremely important research. Telomerase is present in cancer cells, an agent which permits their growth, and telomerase inhibitors to prevent the spread of tumors are one of the lines of research being investigated. According to Bloomberg, Merck and Co and Geron are already testing vaccines for specific types of cancers. The significance of an effective growth inhibitor in this field is impossible to overstate. It could revolutionize treatment and improve survival rates immensely overnight.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Photos of the three American Scientists are at the website

[Niuhuru]

We are the Champions!!

[Red Badger]

If ZeroCare passes, this will probably be the last..........................

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[Huebolt]

The telomere is the ONLY defense against cancer. That’s why that enzyme is found in cancer cells. This is not really new, unless the isolation of the enzyme is the actual news.
Once the telomere is switched off, look out. No limit on a cell’s ability to divide is... cancer. I only hope they can get total control of the thing.

[from occupied ga]

If ZeroCare passes, this will probably be the last..........................

Not true. You don't think that the political classes will settle for anything like what the masses get do you? I suspect that all sorts of life extending research will be done with any real benefits being rationed to those who role in out society is important enough to justify their receiving the benefits (ie politicians and bureaucrats)

[Dewey Revoltnow]

I thought unlimited cell replication was called cancer.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well cancer certainly does that....

[Midtowngirl]

So much for healthcare cost estimates, LOL. If they succeed and we all live for two hundred years or more I’m guessing Social Security and Medicare will go bust too, LOL.

[Red Badger]

Like Viagra, the most counterfeited drug in the world, a drug like this would be impossible to keep off the black market. Hell, they can’t stop crack, heroin or meth!...................

[TexasFreeper2009]

I have often wondered what would happen if science found a way to make us live forever or even just tripled our life span.

Can you imagine the chaos if it was expensive!

The poor would be demanding government paid treatments to extend their lives like the rich can do with their own money, and the pressure to restrict reproduction would be immense.

[OneWingedShark]

>I thought unlimited cell replication was called cancer.

When talking about money we call it the Federal Reserve.

[Teflonic]

I imagine life extension drugs would become a form of currency, perhaps only available to those who are working. The political implications are so profound that governments would delay public awareness of it for as long as possible.

[Zionist Conspirator]

The prize was awarded to American researchers Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider, and Jack W. Szostak.

I didn't even know they were Communists!

[Erasmus]

This is the Medicine Prize. You’re thinking of the “Peace” Prize.

[DesertConservative]

Such increased longevity would demand humanity’s explosion into space.

[neverdem]

Here's a good essay on telomeres.

[Wacka]

Met Carol Greider at several seminars. Glad to see someone i know win the Nobel.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Ernest.