Telomere animation

At Children's Medical Research Institute, we seek to understand the immortalisation of cancer cells (i.e. their ability to divide indefinitely) and how this might be counteracted to develop new anti-cancer therapies.

We know the maintenance of telomeres is essential for unlimited cell division.

Telomeres are DNA sequences that act as protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Each time a cell divides, telomere DNA is lost and this serves as a "clock" limiting the cell's ability to reproduce.

When telomeres shorten, senescence is triggered and cells stop dividing. Immortal cancer cells are able to add back telomere DNA to overcome telomere shortening and prevent senescence (as shown in this animation).

They do this using either an enzyme called telomerase or by using an Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) mechanism.