The science of cells that never get old | Elizabeth Blackburn

What makes our bodies age ... our skin wrinkle, our hair turn white, our immune systems weaken? Biologist Elizabeth Blackburn shares a Nobel Prize for her work finding out the answer, with the discovery of telomerase: an enzyme that replenishes the caps at the end of chromosomes, which break down when cells divide. Learn more about Blackburn's groundbreaking research -- including how we might have more control over aging than we think.

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[moladiver]

About 22 years ago I wrote a paper in school about telomeres. I still remember how they caught my attention back then. It's just incredible to see how people such as yourself decide to devote their lives to this topic. Respectfully, you seem to be a very joyful and positive person by nature so I hope that means your telomeres still allow you to conduct many more years of research. Thank you very much Elizabeth for this incredibly informative and inspiring talk!

[nerdygirljen]

Her book - The Telomere Effect - genuinely changed my life & how I live it - I would highly highly recommend giving it a read.

[inhobiswinecellar]

the speaker spoke in such an honest and authentic manner worth appreciating. love her for this and her research! will definitely go meditate now

[salvadorhirth]

After watching this informative video, couples can now include a new argument to stop discussions:
" _enough! you are shrinking my telomeres! "

[MichaelSHartman]

While I have followed her work for some years, this is the first time I have seen her speak. She is such a charming person. Thank you.

[KrittinKalra]

The message is loud and clear - the body follows the mind. We have known this for a long time now and the brilliant research Elizabeth and scientists like her are doing reaffirm of how important our mental state is. In today's world, we give little importance to mental health. Look at our education systems for example; how much education were we given on how to handle our emotions and stressful situations. And as Elizabeth pointed out, the effects in the length of telomere are even visible in children, so that means we have to have some sort of curriculum wherein children are taught on how to get hold of their emotions. Mental health is something that can be taught. I hope we make progress in this direction.

[SMHartNPC]

every single one of my patients over the age of 90 have had noticeably positive attitudes despite various hardships. They are such a joy. I can only assume they have beautiful telomeres :-)

[lighthealerastrid]

Elizabeth Blackburn. What a credit to scientific research she is. Also fascinating to listen to. I have been working on my telomeres for over ten years now and will be 70 in two years. I feel like someone in her 40s. Thank you again, EB. You are such an inspiration.

[cem]

The way she describes and talks about this topic just grabs your attention and makes you think of more questions, I love it

[amdarcy]

I love how she gives credit and mentions the full name of the other women who helped her, the student she worked with and the psychologist whose question changed things for her. And how she shared Nobel Prize equally with her student. After a long history of male scientists either taking credit for women's work or admitting they helped but not sharing prize.

[ed-ho]

An absolutely lovely, wonderful, compassionate, intelligent woman!

[luckyluminous]

Im in tears for me and my kid. We both have gone through continuous battles and stressfull challenges in life since last 2 decades. I pray god for recovery.

The most intense and valuable lecture on TeD. i have heard..

[carrieoff]

I'm forty five and studying gcse biology. The more I learn the more incredible our world becomes. The more I learn the more I can understand what people like Elizabeth are devoting their lives to understanding. Thanks Ted Talks.

[AdamHMortimer]

I’m glad we are back to the classic Ted talks. I find it fascinating that science continually seems to confirm that stress is a leading cause of disease and the power of meditation Is reaffirmed again and again as a powerful tool against stress. I had a doctor that read thousands of scientific journals and he told me that stress is the root of many diseases. She did a great job. She is brilliant. I am so grateful to the amazing women and men of the science community that are working so hard to improve the leangth and quality of human life.

[BirgitFischerMusic]

Now with the Nobel prize proven: From the mind, the attitude towards distressing situations into the cells ... wow what an amazing scientist lady gives us her insights on how to enhance our youth "inside". Thank you, great share!

[Zyilus]

A wonderful science talk that engages from start to end with an incredible message!

[dlp]

Dr. Blackburn first came to my attention in a documentary titled Stress: Portrait of a Killer, which mainly focused on Robert Sapolsky's work, but included a segment on Dr. Blackburn and exactly the study with Eliza Eppel that she mentions here. For those interested in finding the full effects of stress on our lives and health, I heartily (no pun intended) recommend that video as well.

[yusefendure]

I had heard some of this info before, but how she put it all together brought home another profound example of how we humans are all connected. All life is connected. Blown away. Thanks for sharing this video.

[antitodu]

Not only a sweet and funny woman, but super smart, curious and wise! I'd love to sit and hear all she has to say about the wonderful biology <3

[josht]

This woman is that absolute genius teacher you had in hs or college that always made jokes that weren't funny but she chuckled anyway like she didn't practice it in the mirror a half dozen times that morning.


I hurt myself with this comment :(