At Longevity Summit Dublin 2024, María Blasco, a leading expert on telomeres and cancer, discussed her pioneering research on the role of telomere length in ageing and disease. She presented evidence from mouse models showing that extending telomeres through gene therapy could delay ageing and treat age-related conditions like pulmonary fibrosis. This work opens the door to potential future therapies aimed at enhancing human longevity.

Key Points:

• Telomeres and Ageing: Telomeres, the protective structures at the ends of chromosomes, shorten as we age. Telomere shortening is linked to various age-related diseases, including cancer and organ failure.
• Telomerase Enzyme: Telomerase is active during embryonic development to extend telomeres, but its activity ceases in adulthood, contributing to ageing. Mutations in telomerase cause disorders like telomere syndromes.
• Mouse Models of Telomere Elongation: Blasco's research showed that genetically engineered mice with longer telomeres lived longer and developed fewer age-related diseases, providing proof of concept that extending telomeres can delay ageing.
• Cross-Species Telomere Research: Research comparing mammals and birds demonstrated that the rate of telomere shortening predicts longevity across species, suggesting that telomere maintenance is a key factor in lifespan.
• Gene Therapy for Age-Related Diseases: Gene therapy that reactivates telomerase has shown promise in treating diseases like pulmonary fibrosis in mice, potentially reversing tissue damage and extending life.
• Potential Human Applications: While telomerase therapy has been effective in mice, further research is needed before moving to human trials. The goal is to treat conditions like fibrosis and perhaps extend human healthspan by targeting telomere shortening.