Werner’s Syndrome, Cancer, Aging

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(From EurekAlert). Modern investigations into accelerated aging disorders (Progeria and Werner's syndrome) are teaching scientists a great deal about the way in which the aging process works. The links between aging, telomeres - the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that get shorter with each cell division - and cancer have been receiving a lot of attention in recent years. The hurdles overcome during the development of a mouse model for Werner's syndrome demonstrate how far we've come in our ability to manipulate genes and telomeres in living organisms. This field of study is an important one - it could eventually yield therapies to prevent both cancer and aging.

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-08/uotm-mmo081904.php