Copy Citation
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZtelomerase
noun
tel·o·me·rase
te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās 
-ˌrāz
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Our discoveries of telomeres and telomerase open a Pandora’s box of difficult questions.
—
Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2011
In the 1990s, scientists at the Bay Area biotech company Geron Corporation mapped the human gene for telomerase.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 3 May 2021
There were even indications that telomerase activity could predict treatment response.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2020
The two scientists wanted to explore the idea that differences in telomerase length in T cells could explain the large disparity in the average age of onset of a type of leukemia between Chinese and U.S. patients.
—Jeffrey Mervis, Science | AAAS, 11 Mar. 2020
During some of the heated sessions, medical doctors and anti-aging researchers argued loudly across the conference room about biomarkers, enzymes, telomerase endings of genes, and how far mitochondria might be manipulated.
—Zoltan Istvan, Quartz, 29 July 2019
And the bat maintains its chromosome ends through a pathway that doesn't seem to involve telomerase, the enzyme most frequently associated with that activity.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 June 2019
Researchers from UC Berkeley have discovered the 3D structure of the enzyme telomerase, which could lead to new advances in aging research, as well as possible new insights into cancer.
—Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 27 Apr. 2018
Cells that are exposed to cortisol have shorter telomeres and less telomerase, which is the enzyme responsible for maintaining the ends of telomeres.
—Smithsonian, 22 Jan. 2018
See More
Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2011
In the 1990s, scientists at the Bay Area biotech company Geron Corporation mapped the human gene for telomerase.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 3 May 2021
There were even indications that telomerase activity could predict treatment response.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2020
The two scientists wanted to explore the idea that differences in telomerase length in T cells could explain the large disparity in the average age of onset of a type of leukemia between Chinese and U.S. patients.
—Jeffrey Mervis, Science | AAAS, 11 Mar. 2020
During some of the heated sessions, medical doctors and anti-aging researchers argued loudly across the conference room about biomarkers, enzymes, telomerase endings of genes, and how far mitochondria might be manipulated.
—Zoltan Istvan, Quartz, 29 July 2019
And the bat maintains its chromosome ends through a pathway that doesn't seem to involve telomerase, the enzyme most frequently associated with that activity.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 June 2019
Researchers from UC Berkeley have discovered the 3D structure of the enzyme telomerase, which could lead to new advances in aging research, as well as possible new insights into cancer.
—Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 27 Apr. 2018
Cells that are exposed to cortisol have shorter telomeres and less telomerase, which is the enzyme responsible for maintaining the ends of telomeres.
—Smithsonian, 22 Jan. 2018
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'telomerase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1988, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near telomerase
Cite this Entry
“Telomerase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telomerase. Accessed 4 Feb. 2023.
Medical Definition
telomerase
noun
tel·o·me·rase
te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells
More from Merriam-Webster on telomerase
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about telomerase
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
-
- Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?
Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?
PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz
Can you name these antiquated items?
Take the quiz
-
Which Came First?
"Leggings" or "mom jeans"? "Chillax" or "dumpster...
Take the quiz
-
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share