A chromosomal Nobel
- Towards a new horizon—

We are at a point in history where the world is reaching molecular & micro-molecular levels. 2009 may have seen many ups & downs in various aspects of human life. But for science, a major catastrophe has been solved. The answer has arrived, as to how the chromosome could copied during cell division in a complete manner and how they are protected against degradation. Elizabeth Blackburn and Jack Szostak discovered that a unique DNA sequence in the telomeres protects the chromosome from degradation. Carol Greider and Blackburn identified telomerase-the enzyme that makes telomere DNA.
Indeed for this mammoth feat all the three jointly were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology and Medicine for the year 2009-This discovery has paved way for development of newer therapeutic strategies.
Elizabeth Blackburn was studying the chromosomes of tetrahymena, a unicellular ciliate organism when she noticed a DNA sequence that was repeated several times, as coincidence would match, at the same time Jack Szostak had made the observation that a linear DNA molecule, a type of minichromosome, is rapidly degraded when introduced into yeast cells. On the other front Carol Greider started to question if the formation of telomere DNA could be due to an unknown enzyme. A Christmas Day gift as one would say, Greider on 25th Dec 1984 discovered signs of enzymatic activity in a cell extract. Going ahead they named the enzyme telomerase.
After endless research and numerous pathways it is now known that the DNA sequence in the telomere attracts proteins that form a protective cap around the fragile ends of the DNA stands.
This puzzle has given way to newer horizons towards human ageing, cancer and stem cells, where the human mind is still in confusion and dilemma. In the end, all we can say is, the discovery by Blackburn, Greider and Szostak have added a new dimension to cellular understanding, has broadened the paradox of disease understanding and stimulated the development of potential new therapies.
Truly this work of masterpiece thinking with marathon effort is worth a NOBEL !
By & Edmond Fernandes.