Stem cells and extension of life

[Saulomo]

First of all: I'm just a high-school kid with no scientific education. I'm just sharing my thoughts on a topic that I deal a great lot of interest in. I would love to be corrected as I'm sure that there is plenty of flaws in my "theory"

 

Stem cells can create new, young cells, correct? In theory, placing stem cells on a cut you got on your hand would make the skin in the area pretty much like the skin of a baby? And one will die once the telomeres of the chromosones grows so big that the cell can no longer handle it? Then, what if one replaced the cells, used plenty of stem cells and created new cells? Wouldn't this erase the concept of aging, at the very least expend one's lifetime?

 

Just trying to start an interesting discussion here.

[granpa]

the telomeres get shorter each time a regular cell divides.

AFAIK, the telomeres of stem cells never get shorter.

[Saulomo]

the telomeres get shorter each time a regular cell divides.

AFAIK, the telomeres of stem cells never get shorter.

 

The first thing you mentioned would be the "hayflick limit", correct? The telomeres get's shortened each time they divide, and eventually (normally after dividing 40 to 60 times) they won't be able to divide anymore?

 

Do you have any sources too back up on the "stem cells' telomeres never get shorter"? Would make it even more interesting if they don't.

[granpa]

no and I really dont care enough about the subject to go looking it up.

A quick search seems to indicate that subject is still being debated.

 

All I know for certain is that some cells do have the machinery necessary to fold the telemeres back

and re-lengthen them to their original length

so I dont see anything about the idea that should be surprising to anyone.

 

I'm going to unsubscribe to this thread so dont bother writing me a long flaming response.

I wont read it.