Telomere

A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration.

What are Telomeres?

Telomeres are crucial parts of the chromosome that act to protect them and ensure DNA replication is performed effectively.

Systemic Telomere Length and Aging

Latest Telomere News and Research

Faster biological aging may explain rising early-onset cancers

The link between biological aging and early-onset cancer risk offers crucial insights into generational health trends and potential preventive measures.

24 Jun 2026

Aging immune cells may explain why autoimmunity rises later in life

A new Review reveals how aging can push the immune system into a paradoxical state, weaker against threats yet more prone to attacking the body’s own tissues.

21 Jun 2026

First human trial targets aging immune cells for healthier immunity

A first-in-human clinical trial of an immune rejuvenation therapy designed to restore the function of worn-out T cells is expected to begin later this year, building on research led by UCL scientists into the mechanisms of immune aging.

17 Jun 2026

Three decades of progress since the discovery of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase

A new review was published in Volume 18 of Aging on May 15, 2026, titled "Blue period – features of senescence 30 years after beta-galactosidase."

5 Jun 2026

Hidden junk DNA could play decisive role in cancer

Many repetitive regions of the genome have been considered "junk DNA" because the technologies available did not allow them to be studied at sufficient resolution.

5 Jun 2026

Mesenchymal drift may explain how aging cells lose their identity

Mesenchymal drift may help explain how cells lose stable identity and acquire pro-fibrotic, inflammatory mesenchymal traits during aging. The review proposes MD as a unifying framework that links multiple hallmarks of aging and highlights partial reprogramming as a potential, but still preclinical, way to counteract this process.

1 Jun 2026

Long telomeres linked to higher lymphoma risk in families

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Telomere Clinic at Johns Hopkins have identified a genetic syndrome in which unusually long telomeres - the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes - allow immune cells to remain biologically "younger" for longer than normal, predisposing affected individuals to lymphoma and other cancers.

7 May 2026

Human telomerase shows limited function across different animal species

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on April 13, 2026, titled "Cross species activity of TERT human telomerase component."

5 May 2026

Restoring gut microbiome may prevent liver cancer in mice

Restoring the gut microbiome to its youthful state may hold the key to slowing aging and preventing liver cancer, one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide, according to a study to be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2026.

23 Apr 2026

Antiretroviral therapy reduces biological aging in people living with HIV

A major study presented today at ESCMID Global 2026 has found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces accelerated biological ageing in people with HIV (PWH) by nearly four years, a finding that could transform how clinicians monitor HIV treatment and long-term health outcomes.

20 Apr 2026

Computational model predicts telomere length from biopsy images

A new computational tool infers changes occurring at the ends of the chromosomes housing our DNA. It does so by detecting structural alterations in cells and tissues captured in images taken of routine medical biopsies, according to findings published March 16, 2026, in Cell Reports Methods.

16 Mar 2026

Higher tyrosine levels linked to shorter lifespan in major UK Biobank analysis

Researchers analyzed over 272,000 UK Biobank participants and used Mendelian randomization to investigate whether circulating phenylalanine and tyrosine influence lifespan. Genetically predicted higher tyrosine levels were linked to shorter lifespan, particularly in men, while phenylalanine showed no independent effect after adjustment.

1 Mar 2026

Early-life telomere length tied to seabird survival

A new study published in Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology reveals a surprising link between cellular aging markers and survival in black-legged kittiwakes (members of the gull family).

24 Feb 2026

Why lung cancer in never smokers is rising and how targeted detection could reduce deaths

Lung cancer in never smokers is an increasingly recognized global health issue with distinct biological drivers, environmental risk factors, and genetic susceptibilities. Improved risk modelling, targeted screening strategies, and preventive approaches are needed to enable earlier detection and reduce mortality in this growing patient group.

15 Feb 2026

Study examines the relationship between leukocyte telomere length and age-related cataract

Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness worldwide among adults over 50, despite major advances in surgical treatment.

12 Feb 2026

Study reveals DNA methylation score that better detects alcohol intake than standard biomarkers

A Mediterranean cohort study evaluated a DNA methylation biomarker of alcohol intake and compared it with conventional indicators such as GGT. The epigenomic score correlated with alcohol exposure, linked to telomere shortening and epigenetic aging markers, but findings remain observational and population-specific.

9 Feb 2026

AI analysis maps a century of global aging research

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 11 of Aging-US on November 25, 2025, titled "A natural language processing–driven map of the aging research landscape."

23 Dec 2025

New analysis reveals fundamental flaws in widely used measures of biological aging

A landmark review published today in Genomic Psychiatry challenges researchers to fundamentally reconsider how the field measures and conceptualizes biological aging.

3 Dec 2025

Study reveals ATM kinase as the key driver of replicative senescence

After a finite number of divisions, cells simply give up. As each round of replication trims their telomeres-the protective caps at the chromosome ends-those caps eventually become too short to prevent chromosome ends from being recognized as DNA breaks.

1 Dec 2025

Drinking three to four cups of coffee a day may slow cellular aging

New findings reveal that 3-4 cups of coffee daily may enhance telomere length, potentially slowing cellular aging in individuals with severe mental disorders.

28 Nov 2025