On October 29th, Nature published new research co-authored by AFAR Grantee and Upstate Nathan Shock Center Director Vera Gorbunova, PhD, on the genetic basis of the bowhead whale’s longevity. The paper focuses on the bowhead whale’s ability to maintain genome integrity through enhanced DNA repair.
This research and Dr. Gorbudova were also highlighted in The Guardian, as well as The New York Times, with AFAR Grantee Peter Sudmant, PhD, providing further insights into the possible applications of these findings.
Dr. Gorbunova is a 2005 AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty recipient, as well as the Director of the Upstate Nathan Shock Center, part of the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center that AFAR helps lead for the NIA/NIH.
Dr. Sudmant is a 2019 Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty recipient.
Read “Evidence for improved DNA repair in long-lived bowhead whale” in Nature here.
Read “Can bowhead whales with their 200-year lifespan help us to slow ageing?” in The Guardian here.
Read “Life Lessons from (Very Old) Bowhead Whales” in The New York Times here.
