Bowhead Whales' 200-Year Lifespan Secret
The quest for longevity has led researchers to study various animals, from bats to elephants, in search of clues to an expansive lifespan. Recently, scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the bowhead whale, which can live for over 200 years. This move reflects broader industry trends in ageing research, where scientists are exploring unconventional models to understand the secrets of longevity. At the heart of the bowhead whale’s remarkable longevity is a highly effective DNA-repair protein. According to Zhiyong Mao, a molecular biologist at Tongji University in Shanghai, China, “tackling DNA repair to improve genome stability is a very effective strategy to confer this extreme longevity.” This protein, which is activated in cold temperatures, helps repair broken DNA, a key factor in the whale’s ability to endure for centuries without succumbing to cancer or other age-related diseases. ...