Researchers have found that the brain definitely sends nerves directly to organs of the immune system and not just to the heart and the lower gut. In that way, too, the brain is influencing the body. Elizabeth Blackburn bodybraindirectly Change image and share on social
Perhaps arising from a fascination with animals, biology seemed the most interesting of sciences to me as a child. Elizabeth Blackburn animalarisebiology Change image and share on social
Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes in cells. Chromosomes carry the genetic information. Telomeres are buffers. They are like the tips of shoelaces. If you lose the tips, the ends start fraying. Elizabeth Blackburn buffercapcarry share on social
In the 1970s, I did a Ph.D. with Fred Sanger in Cambridge who was in the process of inventing ways to map what's inside DNA. He later won the Nobel Prize. Elizabeth Blackburn 1970scambridgedna Change image and share on social
In 2004, results from a study that I worked on with colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco, linked chronic stress to shortening of telomeres. Elizabeth Blackburn californiachroniccolleague Change image and share on social
I chose biochemistry as my major and graduated after 4 years with an Honours degree in Biochemistry. During that time, I had come to love biochemistry research, although I was just getting my feet wet in laboratory research. Elizabeth Blackburn biochemistrychoosedegree share on social
I was born in the small city of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia, in 1948. My parents were family physicians. My grandfather and great grandfather on my mother's side were geologists. Elizabeth Blackburn australiabearcity Change image and share on social
Exercise mitigates the effects of stress - and stress, we know, shortens telomeres. In fact, early studies indicate that stress reduction techniques like meditation help people maintain the length of their telomeres. Elizabeth Blackburn earlyeffectexercise share on social
If a test showed you had telomere shortening, it would be a red flag suggesting you should take a look at possible risk factors. Elizabeth Blackburn factorflagred Change image and share on social
One characteristic aspect of ageing is the increased susceptibility to disease, particularly age-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Elizabeth Blackburn ageaspectcancer Change image and share on social
