Telomeres, Telomerase, and Cellular Aging

Telomeres, telomerase, and their role in cellular aging and cancer are advanced topics in cell biology and genetics for Zambian tertiary students. This subject explores telomeres as protective caps at chromosome ends that shorten with each cell division, acting as a molecular clock for replicative senescence. The enzyme telomerase, which replenishes telomeres, is examined in the contexts of stem cells, germ cells, and its reactivation in approximately 90% of human cancers, conferring immortality. Students will understand the implications for aging, cancer therapeutics (telomerase inhibitors), and regenerative medicine. This material aligns with molecular biology and oncology modules in Zambian university programs, equipping learners with knowledge for examinations and research into age-related diseases and oncogenesis. Understanding this balance between cellular aging and unchecked proliferation is fundamental to modern biomedical science.