Discovery of Telomeres and Telomerase

Genetics & Genomics 1985

Discoverers: Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider

Overview

Identification of telomerase, the enzyme that maintains telomere length at chromosome ends, solving the end-replication problem.

Significance

Explained how chromosomes are protected from degradation and how cells regulate their lifespan, with implications for ageing and cancer.

Methodology

Biochemical purification of telomerase activity from the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, showing it adds telomeric DNA repeats to chromosome ends.

Impact