Sites of interest on the World Wide Web—edited by Rick Neubig
Telomeres and Telomerase
A hot topic in both cancer and in mammalian cloning is the role of telomeres and telomerase in cellular “immortalization.” The article by Stewart on pp 481–483 of this issue discusses the complex regulation of this process. Telomerase and Telomeres, a site from the University of Stuttgart, has both information and animations showing the role and mechanism of telomeres in stabilizing chromosome ends (http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/bio/zoologie/teloweb.htm). Another Telomerase Demo shows an even closer look at how telomerase prevents unraveling of chromosomes (http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/donald.slish/Telomerase.html). Given the role of telomerase in cancer, it is not surprising that a presentation on this topic, from an annual meeting of the Association for Molecular Pathology, is also available on the Web (http://www.pds.med.umich.edu/users/frank/Telomerase.html).
Circadian Rhythms
Everyone is familiar with the impact of circadian rhythms on one’s daily life and functioning. A wealth of links to information on circadian rhythms can be found at the comprehensive (if not pretty) Circadian Rhythm Hub (http://www.knowdeep.org/circadian/). Another site, Circadian Rhythm Information, has useful links to other resources (http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/circadian.html). One of the interesting developments in circadian rhythm research has been the profound genetic influences identified in flies, mice, and now humans. A number of the researchers in this area have been Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators, and the HHMI has a lecture on this topic, Clockwork Genes, posted with a variety of links to other useful information (http://www.hhmi.org/lectures/2000/index.htm). One of the more recent findings has been a human gene that modifies circadian patterns by “advancing the clock” to cause early awakening and early sleep onset (http://www.hhmi.org/news/ptacek2.html). The role of circadian rhythms in jet lag, and ways that one might combat the condition, are listed in Jet Lag & Motion Sickness, a chapter from a travel Web site (http://www.travmed.com/thg/thg_pdf_2001/03-Jet%20Lag-01.pdf).
Obesity
Clearly, one of our major health problems is obesity. The article by Hosoda et al. on pp 494–503 of this issue discusses the role of ghrelin in food intake and calorie utilization. The American Obesity Association (http://www.obesity.org/) provides information about both scientific and social aspects of obesity. A more academic view is available from the Office of the Surgeon General (http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity) and the NIADDK’s Weight Loss Control site (http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/nutrit.htm). The latter site has a table reviewing some Long-term Studies of Pharmacotherapy for the Management of Obesity (http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/table.htm), but it is somewhat out of date. Finally, the role of genetics in obesity is also becoming much better understood, and a site from the Université Laval in Canada shows a Human Obesity Gene Map (http://www.obesity.chair.ulaval.ca/genes.html).
- © American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Theraputics 2002
