Kornberg’s work with understanding the details of the transcription process has influenced varieties of biological research, including stem cell research.  According to research done at the Pennsylvanica State University College of Medicine, “Detailed studies of gene transcription regulatory mechanisms during cell differentiation are essential not only for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of development and differentiation, but also for harnessing the differentiation and proliferation capacity that make stem cells invaluable for regenerative medicine.”  Specifically, Telomerase is an enzyme required for self-renewal of stem cells.  This enzyme consists of two subunits, one of which, the TERT subunit correlates with telomerase activity found in many of the body’s cells.  The TERT subunit has been found to also correlate with many immortal human cells, suggesting that repression of the gene may help in understanding the cellular programming of the transcriptional process, and how this process is maintained during differentiation and development. [2]