A cell will start a process of "cell suicide"

Prof John Mann, pro-vice chancellor at Queen's University, used synthesised compounds based on a plant historically used in African folk medicine.

He worked with Prof Stephen Neidle of the London School of Pharmacy.

Their team have developed new molecules which can modify the shape of particular structures within cells.

Professor Mann said: "With cells in the human body dividing about 20 times before they enter a process of ageing and eventually death, every time a cell divides a few of its telomere DNA repeats are lost.

"When too many are lost and the chromosome ends are in danger, a cell will start a process of 'cell suicide'.

"However, within the body, there are those cells which are supposed to divide a lot, such as stem cells. These possess a telomerase enzyme, which can repair the telomere, keeping it in its original format and size."

Recent research suggested about 90% of cancer cells also possess the telomerase enzyme.

Professor Mann's work is part of the new �20m Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's due to open in May 2007.