An improved method for determining telomere length and its use in assessing age in blood and saliva.
BACKGROUND
It is disputed whether telomeres shorten with age.


OBJECTIVE
The proposition of this study was to answer this question.


METHODS
The question was answered by a simple method consisting of a color reaction combined with long-term electrophoresis and weak voltage.


RESULTS
The telomeres shorten and the shortening is much higher than previously assumed.


CONCLUSIONS
The telomere theory of ageing and cancer is corroborated and for the first time it is possible to estimate age in blood or saliva.
Lahnert
Peter
P
Department RNA-Chemie, Max-Delbrück-Centrum, Berlin, Germany. peter.lahnert@lycos.de
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D015139:Blotting, Southern / Q000379:methods; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics*
D015415:Biomarkers; D005819:Genetic Markers