ABSTRACT
This chapter details the discovery of the telomere, the repeat DNA sequences found at the ends of chromosomes. In addition, the discovery of the enzyme complex known as telomerase is addressed, as an important mechanism to prevent continued telomere shortening with each cell division. The Hayflick limit, a phenomenon that cells in culture can only undergo a certain number of replications, is discussed in relation to telomeres. Nobel Prize winners Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider, and Jack Szostak, and their contributions to telomere biology are addressed. Finally, the translation of the fundamental discovery of the telomere and telomerase into treatments for various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and malignant melanoma, is discussed.
