117-Year-Old Woman’s DNA Reveals Clues to Longevity

Kokcha News Agency: In 2024, Maria Branyas, who passed away at the remarkable age of 117, contributed to groundbreaking research by providing blood, saliva, urine, and stool samples for analysis. The study, led by Barcelona’s Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, revealed that Branyas’ genome exhibited unusually youthful characteristics for her age.

Rare genetic variants in her DNA were linked to a robust immune system, heart health, and brain function. Additionally, her body showed low levels of inflammation, a strong cardiovascular structure, and a balanced gut microbiome. Branyas also had exceptionally high levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and very low levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.

Researchers noted that her biological advantages were likely complemented by her lifelong social, mental, and physical activity, as well as her adherence to a Mediterranean diet.

An intriguing finding was the unusually short length of Branyas’ telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. While short telomeres are typically associated with a higher risk of mortality, scientists suggested that in Branyas’ case, they may have prevented the proliferation of cancer cells.

Eloy Santos-Pujol and Aleix Noguera-Castells, authors of the study, stated, “Our research shows that advanced age does not always equate to poor health.” However, they emphasized that the findings, based on a single case, need to be validated in larger groups.

As the population of centenarians grows rapidly, supercentenarians (those over 110) remain extremely rare. Branyas’ case offered researchers a unique opportunity to explore the biological limits of human lifespan. The study was published in Cell Reports Medicin*.