My actual research is in the area of cognitive neuroscience - specifically looking at attention and neuroendocrine measures the of HPA axis activation.
I do know that telomeres are involved in apoptosis through the regulation of telomerase. Disruption of telomerase seems to lead to apoptosis and has huge implications for cancer research. Mondello & Scovassi (2004) wrote an entire review about it. As for Alzheimer's, I haven't kept up with the literature honestly so I'm not sure to what extent there may be telomere involvment.
Mondello, C. & Scovassi, A. (2004). Telomeres, telomerase and apoptosis. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 82(4), 498-507.
Interesting stuff, Crobar. Are you concentrating your studies in this area; i.e., Alzheimer's research?
I remember discussing apoptosis in genetics class and the possibility in the future of scientists using a controlled sort of apoptosis mechanism to target certain malignancies to shrink or even eradicate tumors. I think we're probably still a long way from that, though.
It's been a while since that class, so refresh my memory for me, please: does apoptosis involve telomeres in a natural, programmed cell death, and does this apply to the process seen in Alzheimer's?
Newsletter
Comments
Thanks for including references, Crobar. I would like to check them out and explore this further.
Very cool field of study! Best of luck.
January 15, 2010 at 9:12 p.m.My actual research is in the area of cognitive neuroscience - specifically looking at attention and neuroendocrine measures the of HPA axis activation.
I do know that telomeres are involved in apoptosis through the regulation of telomerase. Disruption of telomerase seems to lead to apoptosis and has huge implications for cancer research. Mondello & Scovassi (2004) wrote an entire review about it. As for Alzheimer's, I haven't kept up with the literature honestly so I'm not sure to what extent there may be telomere involvment.
Mondello, C. & Scovassi, A. (2004). Telomeres, telomerase and apoptosis. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 82(4), 498-507.
January 15, 2010 at 1:29 p.m.Interesting stuff, Crobar. Are you concentrating your studies in this area; i.e., Alzheimer's research?
I remember discussing apoptosis in genetics class and the possibility in the future of scientists using a controlled sort of apoptosis mechanism to target certain malignancies to shrink or even eradicate tumors. I think we're probably still a long way from that, though.
It's been a while since that class, so refresh my memory for me, please: does apoptosis involve telomeres in a natural, programmed cell death, and does this apply to the process seen in Alzheimer's?
Thanks for the info.
January 13, 2010 at 8:10 p.m.