Tracing the beginnings of the interwoven stories of science can be arbitrary, as beginnings are so often lost in the mists of time. Elizabeth Blackburn arbitrarybeginninginterweave Change image and share on social
If we think of our chromosomes - they carry our genetic material - as being like shoelaces, I work on the plastic tips at the end that protect them. Elizabeth Blackburn carrychromosomeend 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
Biology sometimes reveals its fundamental principles through what may seem at first to be arcane and bizarre. Elizabeth Blackburn arcanebiologybizarre Change image and share on social
Basically, when you look at different types of cells, such as fibroblasts, which form connective tissue, or epithelial cells, from saliva, you see general correlations within a person. If telomeres are up for one cell type, they're up for others overall. Elizabeth Blackburn basicallycellconnective share on social
This enzyme, called telomerase, slows the rate at which telomeres degrade, and research indicates that healthy people with longer telomeres have less risk of developing the common illnesses of aging - like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, which are three big killers today. Elizabeth Blackburn agingbigcall share on social
I spent my first 4 years living in the tiny town of Snug, by the sea near Hobart. Curious about animals, I would pick up ants in our backyard and jellyfish on the beach. Elizabeth Blackburn animalantbackyard Change image and share on social
