The Role of Telomeres in Aging and Cancer Therapy

Dr. Stephanie Panier, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging in Cologne, and Prof. Jan Karlseder, Scientific Director, Vice President, and Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego, USA, spoke about their research on the topic “Aging Is in Our DNA: Telomeres and Cellular Immortality” before a sold out audience at the Thyssen Foundation.

Following a welcome addressed by Ms. Schneider-Pichlo of the Thyssen Foundation and the introduction of the speakers by Prof. Björn Schumacher, spokesperson of the CECAD Cluster of Excellence, Dr. Panier gave a very clear introduction to what telomeres are - namely, the protective caps of our genetic material - and how telomeres are protected and kept stable so that cells can function healthily. Prof. Jan Karlseder then presented insights into research on cancer therapies using telomerases or other approaches.

Both presentations and the lively discussion that followed with the audience revealed that there are still many unanswered questions regarding the complex mechanism of cellular aging and potential therapies to protect cells from damage. Telomeres shorten with every cell division in the human body and thus become increasingly shorter with age. This shortening is crucial for preventing our cells from becoming cancer cells, as the risk of cancer increases with age. Cancer cells activate the key enzyme, telomerase, thereby lengthening their telomeres and becoming immortal cells. However, there are also animals that live to a very old age and are nevertheless well protected against cancer, such as elephants and whales. Perhaps we can learn from such animals how to achieve long and healthy aging.