RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Aug 23, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Actor Woody
Allen once said, "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to
achieve it through not dying."
Developments in nanotechnology may soon make Allen's goal possible, as
biotechnology firms like Telomolecular of Rancho Cordova, Calif., explore ways
to instill aging tissues and organs with indefinite life.
Although this sounds like a Jules Verne sci-fi classic, it's for real.
Nanotechnology firm Telomolecular conducts innovative work in the repair of
damaged chromosomal telomeres, producing new ways to reverse aging in tissues
and organs, and new treatments that may one day cure or even eradicate cancer.
While the elimination of cancer through this technique is still a long way off,
the hope of treatments for such age-related diseases as macular degeneration,
osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, cirrhosis and Progeria is right around the
corner.
Simply put, telomeres are protein compounds that act like caps on the ends of
chromosomes. When a cell divides, the DNA in its chromosomes is replicated and
passed on to the new cell. Telomeres keep the replication process on track. With
each replication, however, the telomeres shorten, becoming exhausted as a person
or organism ages, resulting in cell deterioration which is linked to cancer and
numerous age-related diseases, as well as the general aging process.
Nanocircles (a nanotechnology developed at Stanford University) and vTert
(Telomolecular's synthetic enzyme) are capable of repairing damaged and
shortened telomeres. Researchers at Telomolecular believe they've found a way to
deliver Nanocircles and vTert to chromosomes in living organisms, reversing
diseases caused by that damage. The researchers envision the ability,
eventually, to speed the healing process in humans, preventing or even curing
cancer.
"In the laboratory, Telomolecular has regenerated aged tissues that remain
permanently young and live thousands of times beyond their normal replicative
life span," said Matthew Sarad, chief executive officer. "Duplicated in living
animals, this process could cure a variety of diseases caused by critical
telomere degradation."
Commercially, telomere therapy has been successfully used to extend the life
span of cell cultures used in producing pharmaceuticals, growing artificial
corneas, and accelerating the healing process in skin grafts. Sarad predicts
cosmetic use of telomere therapy could be available within two years, and may
not require FDA approval. Other uses of telomere therapy, as developed by
Telomolecular, include regeneration of damaged muscle and bone, accelerating
wound healing, treating trauma disorders such as strokes, growing replacement
organs, and preventing cancer development during stem cell therapy.
Treating macular degeneration, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis and cancer is a
lengthy process taking months or years of therapy, often unsuccessful. But with
advancements in nanotechnology and molecular biology such as those achieved at
Telomolecular, it's conceivable that treatment of these diseases may soon
involve only a single, routine outpatient visit to a hospital or clinic. And
shortly after that, preventative treatments may eliminate those diseases
completely.
So, Woody, what might life be like, when we can live forever?
Contact:
Jacqueline Bodnar
JB@SyndicatedNews.us
(702) 338-3105
SOURCE Syndicated News, Inc.
CONTACT: Jacqueline Bodnar of Syndicated News, Inc., +1-702-338-3105, or JB@SyndicatedNews.us
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