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

Healthier lifestyle choices could mitigate telomere length-associated brain disease risks

Scientists from Mass General Brigham explored the associations between telomere length-which decreases as a person ages or is exposed to unhealthy environments-and the risk for age-related brain diseases.

12 Jun 2025

Healthy lifestyle habits may shield aging cells from brain disorders

Stroke and dementia as well as late-life depression are more common in people who have a biomarker of aging called short leukocyte telomere length, according to a study published on June 11, 2025, online in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

11 Jun 2025

Cutting back on sugary drinks may protect men’s fertility, review finds

Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with lower sperm count, motility, and increased DNA damage, potentially impairing male reproductive health. This narrative review highlights dose-response effects, mechanisms, and research gaps, calling for further studies on diverse populations.

22 May 2025

Unlocking the secrets of human longevity and healthy aging

Human healthy aging and longevity are complex phenomena influenced by a dynamic interplay of genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, immune, and environmental factors.

22 May 2025

Vitamin D supplements help preserve telomere length in aging adults

Results from the VITAL randomized controlled trial reveal that vitamin D supplementation helps maintain telomeres, protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten during aging and are linked to the development of certain diseases.

21 May 2025

Exploring the link between microbial balance and aging mechanisms

Aging is a multifaceted process driven by interconnected biological mechanisms, among which genomic instability and telomere attrition stand as primary hallmarks.

20 May 2025

Can your diet slow skin aging? New review reveals what helps and what harms

Scientists reviewed recent studies and found that antioxidant-rich diets help slow skin aging, while high intake of refined sugars and trans fats accelerates it. A balanced, nutrient-dense diet may be a practical way to protect skin health and delay visible signs of aging.

6 May 2025

How blood iron levels shape the pace of biological aging

Researchers examine the role of blood iron levels in DNA methylation-based measurements of biological aging.

29 Apr 2025

New clues on how cells protect chromosome ends during division

A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine provides insights into how cells maintain the tiny end caps of chromosomes as they divide, a key process in keeping cells healthy.

17 Apr 2025

Peanuts pack a punch for youth: study finds cellular benefits

Daily consumption of skin-roasted peanuts for six months led to a modest but significant increase in telomere length among young, healthy adults, while peanut butter did not show this effect.

15 Apr 2025

Inflammation found to impact telomere length more than diet or exercise

A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) on January 29, 2025, in Volume 17, Issue 2, titled "Diet, lifestyle and telomere length: using Copula Graphical Models on NHANES data."

26 Mar 2025

What do Blue Zone diets have in common? Polyphenols that may slow aging

Scientists reviewed how polyphenol-rich diets in Blue Zones may help people live longer, healthier lives by targeting biological hallmarks of aging. They call for more research to measure polyphenol intake and test its effects on human longevity.

24 Mar 2025

Breast cancer survivors face accelerated aging tied to tumors and treatment

Accelerated aging in breast cancer survivors is linked to treatments and tumor characteristics, with implications for long-term care and quality of life.

20 Mar 2025

WIN Consortium revolutionizing precision oncology for cancer patients

A new precision oncology paper was published in Oncotarget, Volume 16, on March 12, 2025, titled "Worldwide Innovative Network (WIN) Consortium in Personalized Cancer Medicine: Bringing next-generation precision oncology to patients."

18 Mar 2025

Study unveils mechanisms behind antigenic variation in pathogens

A new study by LMU and Helmholtz Munich shows how pathogens control changes in their cell surface to evade the immune system.

14 Mar 2025

Study uncovers how transposons use telomeres for survival in bacteria

Transposons, or "jumping genes" – DNA segments that can move from one part of the genome to another – are key to bacterial evolution and the development of antibiotic resistance.

7 Mar 2025

WSU scientists create genetically engineered mice to study cellular aging

Washington State University scientists have created genetically-engineered mice that could help accelerate anti-aging research.

4 Feb 2025

Shorter telomeres linked to higher risk of age-related brain diseases

People with shorter protective caps at the end of their chromosomes (called telomeres) may be more likely to develop age-related brain diseases such as stroke, dementia and late-life depression (usually diagnosed at age 60 or older), according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025.

30 Jan 2025

Long-read sequencing revolutionizes diagnosis of rare diseases

One in every 10 people worldwide is impacted by a rare genetic disease but about 50% of them remain undiagnosed despite rapid increases in genetic technology and testing.

24 Jan 2025