What causes illnesses? Lecture by María Blasco, director of the National Centre for Cancer Research (CNIO), Madrid

María Blasco, director of the CNIO and author, among other articles, of the frequently cited “Keys to ageing” published in the prestigious scientific journal Cell, will be giving a lecture at the museum on the cause of illnesses.

Over the past twenty years scientists have discovered many of the molecular processes that lead to ageing. We now know, for example, that molecular and cellular ageing is the cause of numerous illnesses. This process must thus be tackled if we wish to reduce or delay their onset. The speed at which each individual ages is a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle habits.

One of the best studied molecular pathways is associated with the shortening of telomeres, which are the protective structures located at the end of our chromosomes, which diminish over the course of a lifetime. The speed at which our telomeres erode depends on genetic and environmental factors. María Blasco’s research group has been a pioneer in demonstrating that delaying this molecular process may also slow down ageing and the appearance of illness.