Genetic tug-of-war: rare and common variants interact to regulate telomere length
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 17-Jan-2026 14:11 ET (17-Jan-2026 19:11 GMT/UTC)
A large-scale genomic study by researchers at Central South University and King’s College London reveals that rare and common genetic risks interact antagnistically to maintain healthy telomere length — a key indicator of cellular aging. Analyzing genomic data from nearly 380,000 UK Biobank participants, the team discovered a built-in genetic balance that prevents telomeres from becoming too short or excessively long, highlighting a previously unseen genetic mechanism underlying telomere stability.