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What if you could live forever, free from the pain of witnessing loved ones pass or facing the decline of old age? This exploration delves into the potential of human immortality by investigating telomerase therapy, which can reset the genetic clock in somatic cells, potentially halting the aging process. We examine the challenges and breakthroughs in drug design aimed at activating hTERT expression, enhancing telomere length, and minimizing cancer risks. This research could reshape our understanding of lifespan, health, and future medical implications.
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1. Human Immortality
2. Abstract What would it be like to live forever?
What if you never have to witness your loved ones die from old age?
What if you never have to suffer from the effects of the aging process?
3. Big Question Is there a limit to human lifespan or is human immortality possible?
4. Theory The genetic clock in healthy somatic cells can become reset via telomerase therapy, eventually resulting in human immortality.
5. Life Expectancy 13% of population over 65 years old
Average life expectancy: 78 years
6. Telomeres, Telomerase, & Aging Number of times a human cell can divide dictates the length of human lifespan
Telomeres, or repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, protect against damage
Telomerase maintains telomere length
7. Purpose To design prodrug that activates hTERT expression in somatic cells, increasing telomere length and stopping cellular aging while eliminating cancer risk
8. Prodrug Design Controls telomerase activity via inhibition or activation of hTERT expression in both normal and cancerous cells
Oral medication
More effective, less invasive way to administer drugs
9. Methods Investigations into the toxicity, potency, and bioavailability of the novel drug candidate
Experiments performed in vitro
Drug Toxicity
Effects on Cancer Cells
Potency in Human Somatic Cells
10. Drug Toxicity Drug introduced into cell lines into three sets of embryonic stem-cell cultures, altering the dosages over different lengths of time
Control groups contained stem cells not exposed to the drug
Each sample was run through a mass spectrometer, which measured concentrations of the molecules present in culture
11. Drug Effect on Cancer Cells Figure 2: MTT assay to determine the sensitivity of different cancerous cells to hTERT prodrug.
12. Drug Potency in Human Somatic Cells
13. Results Drug exhibits low toxicity
Inhibits hTERT expression in cancer cells
Shows strong potency in muscle, bone, and brain cells in vitro
14. Discussion Current telomerase activators (Ta-65)
Social and economic implications
Better quality of life
Small impact on global population
Reduced medical spending
Future research
Clinical Trials
Other areas for telomerase therapy
Other currentOther current
15. References Agostara B., Carruba, G. & Usset, A. (2008). The management of cancer in the elderly: targeted therapies in oncology. Immunity & Ageing, 5:16.
Ershler, William (2003). Cancer: A Disease of the Elderly. The Journal of Supportive Oncology, 1, 5-10.
Shay, J., & Woodring W. (2005). Senescence and immortalization: role of telomeres and telomerase. Carcinogenesis, 26(5):867-874.