Elizabeth H. Blackburn is an Australian-born American molecular biologist and biochemist who was co-awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. The prize recognized her discoveries elucidating the genetic composition and function of telomeres. These are segments of DNA occurring at the ends of chromosomes.
She also contributed to the discovery of an enzyme called telomerase. This work changed how scientists understand cellular aging. Telomeres protect chromosome ends. They shorten with each cell division. Telomerase replenishes them. Blackburn’s research explained this mechanism. It remains foundational in genetics today.
