Telomeres of human chromosomes (yellow) are shown by in situ hybridization with a telomeric probe. These structural components of chromosomes are essential for genomic stability and play a key role in cancer. In normal somatic cells telomeres shorten each cell division, a process that limits cellular lifespan. However, cancer cells overcome this proliferative blockade by illegitemately activating the enzyme telomerase, which elongates telomeres. In fact, telomerase is activated in 85% of human tumours assayed, making this activation one of the most common changes of cancer.

Christopher Counter
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology