Telomere Extension for Longevity : The Fountain of Youth
School Name
Center for Advanced Technical Studies
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Cell and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to find a way to improve the quality of life for all people by lengthening their life and health span. The benefits from success in this area greatly impact everyone, and provide a way to move forward on anti-aging research. The primary motivation to conduct this study came from the suffering countless people face each day from age related ailments, varying in severity. The vector for alleviating some of these issues was the lengthening of a genetic component, the telomere end cap. This study is similar to that conducted by John Ramunas, who also endeavored to safely extend the telomere end cap. However, Ramunas endeavored to utilize exosomes as the method of providing treatment, whereas I see potential in the utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 modification. Success in modifying the telomere to be self-replenishing would mean that the stress of aging would be removed to a yet unseen degree. In order to find the proper area of modification, further understanding of the TERT sequence is needed, and therefore exploratory research is necessary. This should eventually provide a path forward to attempt specific trials in which the TERT sequence can be modified in other organisms. By observing anomalies, and exploring their exact nature, results on various paths can be obtained. By utilizing CRISPR in this way, we will be able to change the way harmful aging is handled.
Recommended Citation
Petrowsky, Troy, "Telomere Extension for Longevity : The Fountain of Youth" (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 8.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/8
Location
ECL 103
Start Date
3-25-2023 10:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Telomere Extension for Longevity : The Fountain of Youth
ECL 103
The purpose of this research was to find a way to improve the quality of life for all people by lengthening their life and health span. The benefits from success in this area greatly impact everyone, and provide a way to move forward on anti-aging research. The primary motivation to conduct this study came from the suffering countless people face each day from age related ailments, varying in severity. The vector for alleviating some of these issues was the lengthening of a genetic component, the telomere end cap. This study is similar to that conducted by John Ramunas, who also endeavored to safely extend the telomere end cap. However, Ramunas endeavored to utilize exosomes as the method of providing treatment, whereas I see potential in the utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 modification. Success in modifying the telomere to be self-replenishing would mean that the stress of aging would be removed to a yet unseen degree. In order to find the proper area of modification, further understanding of the TERT sequence is needed, and therefore exploratory research is necessary. This should eventually provide a path forward to attempt specific trials in which the TERT sequence can be modified in other organisms. By observing anomalies, and exploring their exact nature, results on various paths can be obtained. By utilizing CRISPR in this way, we will be able to change the way harmful aging is handled.
