Detection of Telomerase Enzyme Activity by TRAP Assay

The telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay, first published by Kim et al. in 1994 (1 ), is used to detect telomerase activity. The scope of the technique is far reaching and has implications for telomere, telomerase, aging, and cancer research (2 ,3 ). In particular, it has revolutionized our understanding of the cancerous cell and its route to escaping senescence or programmed cell death.