In my lab, we're finding that psychological stress actually ages cells, which can be seen when you measure the wearing down of the tips of the chromosomes, those telomeres. Elizabeth Blackburn agecellchromosome Change image and share on social
No one ever said, 'Be a doctor.' But because so many members of my extended family - aunts, uncles - were doctors, there was this expectation that I'd probably be a physician. Elizabeth Blackburn auntdoctorexpectation Change image and share on social
The most dangerous cancer cells are actually the ones that are more like stem cells, which have this ability to produce themselves over and over again. More and more cancer biologists say stem-cell-like cells in cancers are the most dangerous. Elizabeth Blackburn abilitybiologistcancer 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
Cancer cells have had so many other things go wrong with them, genetic, non-genetic changes, that those cells, one of the things they then get selected for is that they have lots of telomerase because now the telomeres in those cells get maintained. Elizabeth Blackburn cancercellgenetic share on social
We think there are lifestyle factors that boost telomerase naturally. Elizabeth Blackburn boostfactorlifestyle Change image and share on social
What is it that keeps you so interested in the telomere? It's so intricate and complicated, and you want to know how it works. Elizabeth Blackburn complicateinterestintricate Change image and share on social
The conservative statement is that telomere length is a biomarker, but it's probably not passive. There are some very intimate relationships between things such as molecular markers for inflammation and telomere health. Elizabeth Blackburn biomarkerconservativehealth share on social
Being senior enough in the field, having enough solidity, I don't feel afraid of being marginalized. Elizabeth Blackburn afraidfeelfield Change image and share on social
When scientists get old, they get interested in the brain, and I'm a little bit afraid I'm falling into that. Elizabeth Blackburn afraidbitebrain Change image and share on social
