Elizabeth Blackburn and the Story of Telomeres: Deciphering the Ends of DNA

by Catherine Brady

Molecular biologist Elizabeth Blackburn--one of Time magazine's 100 "Most Influential People in the World" in 2007--made headlines in 2004 when she was dismissed from the President's Council on Bioethics after objecting to the council's call for a moratorium on stem cell research and protesting the suppression of relevant scientific evidence in its final report. But it is Blackburn's groundbreaking work on telomeric DNA, which launched the field of telomere research, that will have the more profound and long-lasting effect on science and society. In this compelling biography, Catherine Brady tells the story of Elizabeth Blackburn's life and work and the emergence of a new field of scientific research on the specialized ends of chromosomes and the enzyme, telomerase, that extends them. In the early stages of telomere research, telomerase, heralded as a potential cure for cancer and diseases related to aging, attracted the voracious interest of biotech companies. The surrounding hype succeeded in confusing the role of telemorase in extending the life of a cell with a mechanism that might extend the lifespan of an entire organism. In Brady's hands, Blackburn's story reveals much about the tension between pure and applied science, the politicking that makes research science such a competitive field, and the resourceful opportunism that characterizes the best scientific thinking. Brady describes the science accessibly and compellingly. She explores Blackburn's struggle to break down barriers in an elite, male-dominated profession, her role as a mentor to other women scientists (many of whom have made their mark in telomere research), and the collaborative nature of scientific work. This book gives us a vivid portrait of an exceptional woman and a new understanding of the combination of curiosity, imaginative speculation, and aesthetic delight that powers scientific discovery.Catherine Brady is Assistant Professor in the MFA in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco. She is the author of two collections of short stories, The End of the Class War and Curled in the Bed of Love (a winner of the 2002 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction).

Genres: Science, Biography, Nonfiction

392 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book highlights the achievements of Elizabeth Blackburn in the field of science which is dominated by men. The book illustrates not only the plight of female scientists, but also exposes the overall politics involved in research and academia. The processes of peer reviewed publishing was described thoroughly, highlighting the rigors of scientific review. The race to publish was not her motivation. True and accurate science, collaboration, and scientific advancement were the goals. The inequalities that women faced in the workforce were also present in academia and research. Discrimination in areas of wages, promotions, and status were hurdles that not only Elizabeth faced, but also encountered by her female colleagues. Her perseverance and integrity qualifies her as a role model not just for women researchers, but also for men. The ethical standards by which she works exemplify what all scientific researchers should strive to attain. Her honesty and principles guiding her while serving on The Presidents Council on Bioethics led to her being fired. She refused to compromise and contort the science to reflect the political ideology of the current presidential administration at that time took a lot of courage. This truly defined her. What amazed me is that she never backed down. She stayed true to the science. She stood up to powerful men and was able to engage calmly and intellectually. Her energies devoted to pursuing telomeres even if mundane and disappointing at times made her a great scientist, worthy of a Nobel Prize.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished 1/3 of this and then decided it was a bit lengthier than I was willing to commit to. The details others note in their reviews are details of the science, which I thoroughly enjoyed even if I didn't understand it all, but I wasn't ready for 330 pages of that. It was well written and remarkably thorough; it may not be for everybody. (I am a librarian and a long-ago aspiring genetic engineer who figured out that wasn't the right career in the second semester of college despite enjoying the content. In a way, my experience with the book confirms that I made the right career change.)

[Sue Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not an easy read, but an interesting one. It is both a biography of Elizabeth Blackburn's scientific career and a history of the field of Telomere research (of which she was a founder). The description of the way a woman had to act to build a career in male-dominated fields in the 70s & 80s was very familiar to me. The genetics was not. Brady does a valiant job, but it is a very complex field and I struggled at times, but came out with a much greater appreciation of the field.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snore…

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Today I took this book off the to read shelf and put it in read, because that is as far as I will get, which is to say around 50 pages in. I do love a good medical biography, but this one was dry as toast. Nothing removed from the actual "tale", which is important, but the storytelling was a bit lacking here.