http://www.utsouthwe...earch-shay.html
"Generation of digoxigenin-incorporated probes to enhance DNA detection sensitivity "
Tsung-Po Lai, Woodring E. Wright, and Jerry W. Shay
http://www.biotechni...ues-364646.html
"In broad terms, telomeres help determine whether a cell reproduces accurately. As the cell divides, these endcaps degrade, causing the cell to age – and it is believed this degradation may lead to some aspects of aging in humans. UT Southwestern scientists hope to use knowledge of telomeres to slow or stop cells from aging, or to potentially help stop the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells that maintain their telomeres."
“Probes generated using this new approach significantly enhance the sensitivity of telomere length measurements,” explained Dr. Jerry Shay
"Scientists are interesting in understanding this cellular aging process to create an “immortal cell,” which could continue to create new cells without degrading and that could have important implications for diseases related to aging. In reverse, controlling the cellular aging process could accelerate the mortality of cancer cells. If telomeres in cancer cells shorten, this action could prevent the cancer cells from dividing uncontrollably in their early stages of development, slowing or halting cancer progression. In the event that a tumor has already developed, anti-telomerase therapy might be administered to prevent relapse."