It was a mystery: how does the chromosome replicate itself precisely during repeated cell divisions without degrading over time? Structures called telomeres (the "caps" on chromosome ends) seemed to provide some clues, but their exact function was poorly understood. The solution to the puzzle, which molecular biologist Carol Greider explained to Big Think this week, won her a share of this year's Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Greider also revealed the latest directions her research has taken and the profound impact her work may soon have on cancer and anti-aging therapies. She even shared a few thoughts on one of her fellow 2009 Nobel laureates, Barack Obama. Greider's interview will be posted later this month.
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kruse scott on November 10, 2009, 4:59 PM
it is no mystery just complicated. the human body is a complicated subject but figuring out and emphasizing on what we do not know gives us a challenge. everybody looks for a challenge, because if it was not a challenge you would not waste your time. we all explain everything in our own way from what we see and experience. a perfect example is you look at a color in the light then the same color in the dark people will make an analytical statement based on what they see not what they know. this subject about the telomeres is satisfyingly interesting.
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