TelomeretoTelomereProjekt

TelomeretoTelomereProjekt (TTTP) is an international collaborative research initiative focused on the biology of telomeres, the protective caps at chromosome ends. The project aims to advance understanding of telomere structure, length dynamics, and maintenance mechanisms across tissues and species, with the ultimate goal of informing aging research, cancer biology, and genome stability.

The concept envisions a coordinated effort to map telomere architecture from one end of a chromosome to the other, integrate time-course data, and compare telomere biology across model organisms and humans. It seeks to establish standardized measurement methods, develop an open data platform, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Core objectives include characterizing telomere length distribution and sequence composition in diverse cell types; elucidating the roles of telomerase and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathways in maintenance; and identifying regulatory networks that influence telomere dynamics. The program also aims to explore how telomere changes relate to aging, regenerative potential, and oncogenesis.

Methods employed include long-read and ultra-long sequencing, single-molecule and single-cell assays, chromatin profiling, CRISPR-based functional screens, and computational modeling. Data from human samples, model organisms, and in vitro systems are integrated to build a comprehensive telomere atlas.

Governance is organized as an international consortium with a steering committee, standardized data standards, and an open-data policy after appropriate access controls. Ethics, privacy, and biosafety considerations are central.

Expected outcomes include high-resolution telomere datasets, methodological benchmarks, and insights that could inform therapeutic strategies targeting telomere maintenance in aging and cancer.