Science in the Spotlight: Understanding Our DNA
The tip at top of the DNA strand helps protect our chromosomes. When the Telomere which stands at the top wears down, the rest of the DNA is endangered. The wearing down of the DNA is one of the factors in major diseases that occur at old age. If forewarned about the fraying, people will be able to protect themselves and that is the research for which Dr Elizabeth Blackburn won a Nobel Prize in medicine.
