Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences located at the termini of chromosomes.  Telomere shortening in humans can induce cellular old-age, which blocks cell division. This mechanism prevents genomic instability and development of cancer by limiting the number of cell divisions. However, shortened telomeres impair immune function that might also increase cancer susceptibility.  If telomeres become too short, the cell may detect this uncapping as DNA damage … Continue reading Researchers identify new enzyme critical to maintaining human telomere length.