The Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay is a sensitive and widely used technique for detecting and measuring the activity of telomerase, an enzyme that plays a critical role in cellular aging and cancer. Telomerase is responsible for maintaining the length of telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, which are crucial for chromosomal stability. In most somatic cells, telomerase activity is low or absent, leading to progressive telomere shortening and eventual cell death. However, in cancer cells, telomerase is often reactivated, allowing these cells to proliferate indefinitely.
