Here's a breakdown of her discovery:
* Telomeres: These are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that prevent DNA from degrading. They shorten with each cell division, eventually limiting the number of times a cell can divide.
* Telomerase: This enzyme adds DNA sequences to telomeres, effectively lengthening them and preventing their shortening. This allows cells to divide more times, potentially contributing to cell immortality and cancer development.
Blackburn's discovery was groundbreaking because:
* It explained how chromosomes are protected from degradation during cell division.
* It shed light on the mechanisms of aging and cancer.
* It opened up new avenues for research into potential treatments for age-related diseases and cancer.
For her work, Blackburn, along with Carol Greider and Jack Szostak, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009.