The science of cells that never get old | Elizabeth Blackburn

What makes our bodies age ... our skin wrinkle, our hair turn white, our immune systems weaken? Biologist Elizabeth Blackburn shares a Nobel Prize for her work finding out the answer, with the discovery of telomerase: an enzyme that replenishes the caps at the end of chromosomes, which break down when cells divide. Learn more about Blackburn's groundbreaking research -- including how we might have more control over aging than we think.
Check out more TED Talks: www.ted.com
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.
Follow TED on Twitter: / tedtalks
Like TED on Facebook: / ted
Subscribe to our channel: / ted

[@salvadorhirth1641]

After watching this informative video, couples can now include a new argument to stop discussions: " _enough! you are shrinking my telomeres! "

[@maddenfootballtalk6544]

😂😂😂😂 this is awesome

[@einsteindrieu]

Funny Salvador Hirth !

[@mariamshekko5903]

Hahaha 😭😂

[@spin42000]

damm right lollll

[@kimkermeen8442]

GREAT comment!!!

[@nerdygirljen]

Her book - The Telomere Effect - genuinely changed my life & how I live it - I would highly highly recommend giving it a read.

[@amanpreetkaur5020]

Hey! Thank you...... I just downloaded this book after reading your comment...... So excited to read...... 😊😇☺

[@aaliya9652]

Is it a short or a long one ?

[@amanpreetkaur5020]

@@aaliya9652 just 354 pages

[@DrSRanjanMBBSAcupuncturist]

I am Reading and, Loving it. #DeanOrnish also recommend similar LSMs.

[@usmanasghar1127]

Any one can provide pdf link

[@moladiver6817]

About 22 years ago I wrote a paper in school about telomeres. I still remember how they caught my attention back then. It's just incredible to see how people such as yourself decide to devote their lives to this topic. Respectfully, you seem to be a very joyful and positive person by nature so I hope that means your telomeres still allow you to conduct many more years of research. Thank you very much Elizabeth for this incredibly informative and inspiring talk!

[@jw1312bs]

hey! i was curious if you still have that paper and if it would be a problem to send it to me? I'm doing a school project and need all the materials and research i can get. Thank you regardless :)

[@happytrails5342]

​@@jw1312bsgo to Google scholar, and other actually published sites. Not KZbin

[@SMHartNPC]

every single one of my patients over the age of 90 have had noticeably positive attitudes despite various hardships. They are such a joy. I can only assume they have beautiful telomeres :-)

[@RoseCandelaLotus]

Im in tears for me and my kid. We both have gone through continuous battles and stressfull challenges in life since last 2 decades. I pray god for recovery. The most intense and valuable lecture on TeD. i have heard..

[@AdamHMortimer]

I’m glad we are back to the classic Ted talks. I find it fascinating that science continually seems to confirm that stress is a leading cause of disease and the power of meditation Is reaffirmed again and again as a powerful tool against stress. I had a doctor that read thousands of scientific journals and he told me that stress is the root of many diseases. She did a great job. She is brilliant. I am so grateful to the amazing women and men of the science community that are working so hard to improve the leangth and quality of human life.

[@korpen3770]

It's good but it's not a cure for aging.

[@clmonline]

ssundee

[@elaypuej]

@@korpen3770 So far...

[@z.deutch1334]

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women world wide in developing countries, dare I say stress is probably a major driving factor, more so than cholesterol, blood pressure, or waist circumference.

[@funanyaokeke9023]

Also sugar and dietary Advanced Glycation End products (AGE), being overweight, not exercising enough and not sleeping good enough is what age's you rapidly and makes you prone to developing chronic disease.

[@inhobiswinecellar9571]

the speaker spoke in such an honest and authentic manner worth appreciating. love her for this and her research! will definitely go meditate now

[@KrittinKalra]

The message is loud and clear - the body follows the mind. We have known this for a long time now and the brilliant research Elizabeth and scientists like her are doing reaffirm of how important our mental state is. In today's world, we give little importance to mental health. Look at our education systems for example; how much education were we given on how to handle our emotions and stressful situations. And as Elizabeth pointed out, the effects in the length of telomere are even visible in children, so that means we have to have some sort of curriculum wherein children are taught on how to get hold of their emotions. Mental health is something that can be taught. I hope we make progress in this direction.

[@happytrails5342]

No we have not. Just assuming it has, this proves it, their is a profound difference, absolutely brilliant research indeed

[@mlhamiltonanderson5940]

The number one cause of dis-ease is chronic, untreated (often unacknowledged) stress. It concerns me that so few doctors address this.

[@lighthealerastrid1465]

Elizabeth Blackburn. What a credit to scientific research she is. Also fascinating to listen to. I have been working on my telomeres for over ten years now and will be 70 in two years. I feel like someone in her 40s. Thank you again, EB. You are such an inspiration.

[@MichaelSHartman]

While I have followed her work for some years, this is the first time I have seen her speak. She is such a charming person. Thank you.

[@cem991]

The way she describes and talks about this topic just grabs your attention and makes you think of more questions, I love it

[@carrieoff]

I'm forty five and studying gcse biology. The more I learn the more incredible our world becomes. The more I learn the more I can understand what people like Elizabeth are devoting their lives to understanding. Thanks Ted Talks.

[@ericadenison1019]

An absolutely lovely, wonderful, compassionate, intelligent woman!

[@dlp3350]

Dr. Blackburn first came to my attention in a documentary titled Stress: Portrait of a Killer, which mainly focused on Robert Sapolsky's work, but included a segment on Dr. Blackburn and exactly the study with Eliza Eppel that she mentions here. For those interested in finding the full effects of stress on our lives and health, I heartily (no pun intended) recommend that video as well.

[@Zyilus]

A wonderful science talk that engages from start to end with an incredible message!

[@antitodu1188]

Not only a sweet and funny woman, but super smart, curious and wise! I'd love to sit and hear all she has to say about the wonderful biology

[@Bmxae]

One of the most engaging TED talks I've heard

[@BirgitFischerMusic]

Now with the Nobel prize proven: From the mind, the attitude towards distressing situations into the cells ... wow what an amazing scientist lady gives us her insights on how to enhance our youth "inside". Thank you, great share!

[@NatalieGilVEVO]

What a great talk, I find it wonderful how people arent actually wasting their time, at least not all of us.

[@rulebraker2]

Is that negativity Mam?

[@sarael1813]

yeah i felt stupid

[@codytaylor2105]

I have had profound long term stress. Taken care of a mother for several years as she had dementia, then had a severely disabled son! On top of that, rather than support and kindness, I received rudeness and shunning and judgement. I have been aging rapidly for several years. So, I really appreciate your research.

[@brooklyn8005]

There are support groups. Check state and national foundations, i.e. son's specific disability for caregivers. I wish you inner peace and continued strength.

[@alexc8512]

Know that you are doing something noble and these two people love and care for you more than anyone else. Take the advice of Elizabeth. See it as a challenge that you know you are capable of handling. My mom was a care taker like you, probably had more stress than was needed but she was loved beyond anyone else.

[@googleaccount6328]

What a remarkable woman. The good heart and bright shes been blessed with is a gift to the world.

[@chrishart3660]

I still remember going to a lecture in the 9th grade about 25years ago at Purdue University where a good portion of the lecture was about telomeres, aging & cancer. Super interesting then, still interesting now.

[@SuperOmedi]

Hearing about for the first time now 2020

[@lajwantishahani1225]

Amazing how science finds evidence from things and places we would never consider. Excellent talk :)

[@jamboreejoseph766]

Go read Blackburn’s book, “The Telomere Effect!” Great read! 👌🏻

[@yusefendure]

I had heard some of this info before, but how she put it all together brought home another profound example of how we humans are all connected. All life is connected. Blown away. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@jeatificar]

If there ever was a video for a nerdgasm... I'm literally so happy watching this. I love science :)

[@sest025]

Chemical, physical and emotional stress. All effect gene expression. Take for example nutrients. We know that new cells require essential nutrients, building blocks. Amino acids, EFA's, minerals. If we don't get these we produce defective cells. Eliminate chemical, physical and emotional stressers. Eat a good healthy diet, get exercise, look after the mind and always continue learning. Great talk.

[@rkwishes]

Couple of days ago my daughter mentioned about Elizabeth Blackburn school and yesterday while I was reading ‘The Future of Humanity’ I came across her name and work. Curious I search her as I like to reshare about her with my kid and I am here. Wonderful Human and Scientist.

[@sidratulmuntaha5313]

I really am speechless. First of all, thanks to this wonderful scientist and her team for discovering such an important thing. ❤️ And again, I loved how she discovered the effects of stress on a person's telomeres by surveying the caregiving mothers, proving how stressed they actually are and how much care these women need for themselves. Respect !❤️

[@steviestevereno]

This was one of the most intriguing presentations I have ever seen…. Bravo Ms. Elizabeth Blackburn!

[@kai9720]

One of the best talk I‘ve ever watched. Wow

[@jyliu]

I just love this talk, the speaker, the curiosity! Thank you very much!

[@faiza7533]

This was an extremely interesting talk.

[@truud2]

very!!!

[@carlosantuckwell]

Dear Elizabeth, thank YOU.

[@allenculbertson8170]

Thank you for educating me on a very important subject. God bless you

[@prakharawasthi7062]

This is one of the best Ted talk I have ever seen. Wonderful

[@manitaguragain]

Incredible talk and powerful message !

[@abdallahmahmoud8642]

One of the best talks ever

[@reemkhatib3754]

That was the most beautiful ted talk I've ever watched and i watched a lot

[@divyadasagrandhi4619]

Amazing talk. Thank you for revealing fascinating facts.

[@mrklaus6232]

I can't believe how much her talk was interesting... I'm still amazed I want to learn more, I can't get enought!

[@uxballoon]

This lecture is so timely, social responsibility to yourself and others

[@touch88ty]

uplifting and informative and blessing for the few with open hearts and willing minds

[@englishinenglish3473]

This is gold, thank you professor, you change lives and make the better :)

[@NONDUALITYtheopenway]

Funny... I was at a sort of small house party and nondual reading in San Francisco... and I was not sure how I got on the topic.. but I had a conversation with a woman about genes and telemeres etc... I was sharing about what I had learned and thought I was enlightening her to it... when she said, by the way... I wrote a book on it... well... this is her! haha And she won a nobel prize for her discovery of telemeres. Who knew? 🙂 And here she is...I coincidently just now came across this

[@heidikamrath1951]

Wow, that’s crazy! So cool!

[@AxelSituation]

I am sooo not surprised. In my own life, my abuser lived til a ripe old age. Yet almost all of his victims strangely died rather young. I always felt that that was vastly cruel and unfair. Now I know why. Wow, thank you Dr Elizabeth Banks.

[@Ch17638]

Fascinating field of study. I like TED talks focused on science and research.

[@LaLa-qc4sf]

This is so cool. She makes it seem so simple!

[@sumanshisingh3127]

New aim of life - To protect others’ and my telomeres! Loved this TED talk.

[@ferkinskin]

Wonderful and fascinating talk from a lovely lady! Excellent!

[@frankiewally1891]

Great talk,thanks for posting

[@MeinDeinSeinCraft]

that was incredibly good! ty for the video :)

[@user-yt4og2cw8i]

I got interested in it because I learned it in life science class at school. Human aging progresses as parts of telomeres shorten, and if we add telomerase, which prevents it, we think we can live for a long time like whale sharks, which are known to live long. However, in order to do so, we need to prevent the increase in cancer incidence, which is a disadvantage of telomerase, and we hope to find out how much telomerase is appropriate for our body to increase cancer incidence and to get the health and youth everyone wants.

[@mnrvaprjct]

Fascinating

[@elizabethh8861]

Truly fascinating!

[@HurreJunior]

Thanks toTed Talks and to this great Scientist.

[@HiAdrian]

What an engaging talk! I can understand why one would obsess over this topic, given the potential.

[@oliviamwu]

I love this talk so much!

[@saraabellgayfield59]

I learned about Elizabeth Blackburn a few years back, I'll never forget her-she is an inspiration!

[@AoHeart97]

It's a great and inspiring talk! Thank you! ♥

[@ganeshmourthy2000]

impressive research . Thank you

[@christianeo.7256]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@anandramanathan9416]

Thank you very much. Excellent speech. Great learning. Thanks to TEDx for organising

[@PC-pe3tg]

Brilliant.. she is so good.

[@suharsh96]

What an amazing talk

[@TheNicoliyah]

What a fascinating lecture! 😁👏🏾

[@juliannak4435]

this is amazing

[@mauliksadhu8963]

Really informative and an interesting talk. Tq so much for your efforts and love from India 😇

[@juliagabrielleguidance]

So wonderful !

[@Studiolussoalberta]

Thank you for your great information.

[@mauliksadhu8963]

Incredible talk 😃.

[@asemic]

great work! respect!

[@fellowzify]

Great talk!

[@isaactfa]

This lady is awesome.

[@umakanni]

Excellent explanation , being as a researcher i got more information about telomeres, Thanks a lot Madam

[@musas1957]

I wonder if Dr. Blackburn did a study on which diet is best to improve Telomeres.?

[@danielito956]

Vegan diet

[@advocate1563]

epa, epa, epa

[@_ADHK293A_]

Probably the best thing I have ever seen.

[@davidhoar75]

I love this lady! She has a silly vibe to her despite being so knowledgeable and intelligent. Amazing point being made as well, I don't want to undermine what she's talking about, it's the correlation between your own thoughts and your body.

[@prakharawasthi7062]

That is not silly vibes. This is the expression of passion when you have for something. I really want those "silly vibes".

[@kingwillie206]

She probably would have been an excellent teacher had she chosen that as a career.

[@riccardocamiletti2081]

The Lady of Science 😍

[@randomcommenter935]

Excellent presentation. Thank you for sharing this very important information. I'm on the older side of life, but I will use this information to add another decade or two to my life so I can help boost God's Kingdom and add to the number of souls reaching out to God here on earth. God bless you, Elizabeth and Carol. I'll be in contemplation regarding your questions at the end.

[@nancerella2000]

This was excellent.

[@editsthatyoulike9527]

so being happy and making others happy, feeling safe, positive attitude, taking things as a challenge and not a threat...all these things will collectively enhance your life span.

[@FreeFall73]

Just Amazing!

[@MrTommy4000]

to paraphrase... don't worry, be happy

[@maddiepatrick7630]

but if you paraphrase, you wouldn't know why you shouldn't worry. its the telomeres.

[@josht9518]

This woman is that absolute genius teacher you had in hs or college that always made jokes that weren't funny but she chuckled anyway like she didn't practice it in the mirror a half dozen times that morning. I hurt myself with this comment :(

[@gemablg]

What a truly bright beautiful person!

[@mvinayagar]

Thank You..

[@ciw97]

Very interesting talk

[@003snehal]

Mind blowing

[@winstonsmith7686]

You were very fortunate.

[@user-ir1pt2sm9n]

작은 힌트도 놓치지 않는 태도가 결국 대단한 발견을 찾아내게 되었네요. 정말 존경합니다.

[@mauriciogerhardt3209]

Now we just have to defeat cancer and we'll be immortal. Until then, don't get stressed and meditate.

[@principleshipcoleoid8095]

Maurício Gerhardt and you'll live longer young but will have more chances of cancer (longer lifespan and more replications therefore more mutations).

[@MasterLagoz]

Haha, I always then to think that cancer is just the next step in human evolution to push us towards immortality.

[@maddiepatrick7630]

yes

[@shonefob]

Even if people didnt die of old age, theyd still die of other causes, Murder, war, accidents, not to mention this wouldt really be being spread in any 3rd world countries. And if humans could live longer we may see more scietific advances faster and head to new planets sooner as a hard part of the trip currently is the time taken to get there, which wouldnt be much of a factor if you could live forever.

[@eddiepryor3119]

@Mike C OMG YES. This movie impacted my perception on life and in general changed the way I think and live each and everyday. Everything about the elites you said I agree and it was the key point of the movie itself too. They tried to keep numbers balanced and only those in power and rich made it forever. I think this movie is a bit overlooked and underrated cause it had a deeper darker and greater message than what people actually understood from it.

[@maryrosetrajada13]

Brilliant💕

[@dylanlundsten9696]

I wonder what effect the use of marijuana and other substances over time has on telomerase

[@kitlee7372]

@Amir Arsalon Joneidi how is that

[@milkoansah-johnson8768]

@@kitlee7372 Basic neurology teaches that brain cells carry signals. If narcortic are present, signal is not strong. Similar cells exist in the heart to regulate heat beat. As narcotics interfer with those signals, heart function reduces. As you use a muscle less often, it will atrophy.

[@user-jb1hi2rv9e]

High telomere

[@mindvolution]

Wow. Fascinating research! So, we can influence our very genes with the methods of meditation, positive psychology and all in these lines. Amazing!

[@DW-vl2wi]

mindvolution None of that proven to increase telemerase, so no.

[@smitsc8395]

Thankyou

[@taral1850]

I love this!

[@Rexitubee]

Thank U Ma'am :-)

[@paulwolf3302]

What about centella asiatica? Tsoukalas et al found that it activates telomerase, and most of the studies I've seen have been about using it as an anti-cancer therapy.

[@maddiepatrick7630]

Damn, that means my telomeres are not looking too hot right now. xD this was so interesting though. I have always heard that stress can shorten your lifespan, but I never knew why or if it was even true! I'm a psychology major so this really got me thinking...and I realized that NOW IM STRESSING ABOUT WEARING DOWN MY TELOMERES BY STRESSING. XDD