I’m thrilled to sit down with Ivan Kairatov, a renowned biopharma expert whose deep knowledge of technology and innovation in the industry has positioned him as a leading voice in research and development. Today, we’re diving into the fascinating study of Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to the remarkable age of 117. Our conversation explores the intricate blend of genetics, lifestyle, and biological mechanisms that contributed to her extraordinary longevity, shedding light on what her life can teach us about healthy aging. From the cutting-edge multiomics analysis used in the research to surprising findings about her telomeres, immune system, and metabolism, Ivan will guide us through the science behind living well into extreme old age.
Can you tell us about Maria Branyas Morera and what made her life so significant for research on longevity?
Maria Branyas Morera was an extraordinary individual who became the world’s oldest verified living person from January 2023 until her passing in August 2024 at the age of 117 years and 168 days. Born in San Francisco in 1907 to Spanish parents, she moved to Spain at age eight and lived in Catalonia for most of her life. What made her so significant for research is not just her age, but how healthy she remained despite surpassing the regional life expectancy by over three decades. Studying someone like Maria, classified as a supercentenarian, offers a rare window into the biological and environmental factors that enable such extreme longevity, providing insights that could help us understand how to age healthily.
What was it about her background or lifestyle that particularly stood out in the context of this study?
Her background was intriguing because she lived through significant historical events and environmental changes, yet maintained remarkable health. Living in Catalonia, an area with a strong cultural emphasis on diet and community, likely played a role, though the study didn’t pinpoint causality. Her personal history, combined with detailed records of her lifestyle—like her daily consumption of yogurt—offered a unique opportunity to explore how environment and habits might interact with biology. It’s this combination of a long, documented life and access to biological samples that made her case stand out compared to other centenarians.
What was the primary aim of this research into extreme longevity?
The main goal was to unravel the complex interplay of factors that allowed Maria to live such a long and healthy life. Rather than seeking a single “magic bullet” for longevity, the study aimed to create a comprehensive picture of how genetics, metabolism, immunity, and even her gut microbiome worked together to protect against age-related decline. By doing so, the research hoped to identify potential biomarkers and strategies for healthy aging that could be applied more broadly.
Can you explain in simple terms what multiomics analysis is and how it was used in this study?
Multiomics analysis is essentially a way of looking at multiple layers of biology at once to get a full picture of someone’s health. Think of it as studying the body from different angles—genetics, proteins, metabolism, and even the microbes in the gut—rather than focusing on just one aspect. In Maria’s case, researchers analyzed samples like blood, saliva, urine, and stool to gather data on her DNA, immune cells, metabolic markers, and microbiome. This approach helped paint a detailed portrait of how her body functioned at 116 and beyond, revealing patterns that might explain her resilience.
One surprising finding was about her telomeres being extremely short, yet she remained healthy. Can you explain what telomeres are and why this was unexpected?
Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes that shorten as we age, often compared to the plastic tips on shoelaces that prevent fraying. They’re widely seen as a marker of biological aging, with shorter telomeres typically linked to disease and decline. In Maria’s case, her telomeres were very short—about 40% were below the 20th percentile for her age group—yet she showed no signs of illness. This was surprising because it challenges the idea that telomere length directly predicts health outcomes, suggesting instead that it might just reflect chronological age or even play a protective role against issues like cancer by limiting harmful cell growth.
The study highlighted rare genetic variants in Maria. Can you describe what these are and how they might have contributed to her long life?
Rare genetic variants are unique changes in DNA that aren’t commonly found in the general population. In Maria’s case, the researchers identified several of these variants in genes related to immune function, heart health, brain protection, and energy production in cells. While no single variant was the key to her longevity, it seems that a combination of these rare changes worked together to shield her from typical age-related diseases. It’s like having multiple small defenses that, when combined, create a strong barrier against decline, even if no one factor stands out on its own.
Her immune system was notably strong for her age. What stood out to you about her immune profile?
What was really striking was how resilient her immune system remained at 117. The analysis showed an expansion of certain immune cells, like cytotoxic T cells, and specific gene expressions that resembled patterns seen in much younger people. Despite some age-related changes, her immune profile had “young-like” features, with upregulated genes for antibodies that likely helped fend off infections and inflammation. This kind of robustness is rare at such an advanced age and suggests her body was still actively defending itself effectively.
The research also touched on her metabolism and gut microbiome. Can you share how these factors played a role in her health?
Absolutely. Her metabolism was remarkably efficient, with blood tests showing low levels of harmful fats and inflammation markers, alongside high levels of protective cholesterol. This likely helped guard against heart disease and cognitive decline. As for her gut microbiome, it had unusually high levels of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium, which is often linked to anti-inflammatory effects and healthy aging but typically decreases in older age. Her habit of eating yogurt daily might have supported this, though we can’t confirm that without long-term data. Together, these factors contributed to a body that processed energy well and maintained balance even at 117.
What do you think is the biggest takeaway from studying someone like Maria for the future of aging research?
The biggest takeaway is that longevity and health in extreme old age aren’t about one single factor but a symphony of protective mechanisms—genetics, immunity, metabolism, and lifestyle—all working in harmony. Maria’s case shows us that aging and disease can be decoupled under the right conditions. This pushes us to think about personalized approaches to health, where we look at an individual’s unique biological makeup and environment to tailor interventions, whether that’s diet, exercise, or even targeted therapies to mimic some of these protective traits.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the field of longevity research based on studies like this one?
I’m optimistic that we’re on the cusp of transformative advances in longevity research. Studies like Maria’s, with their deep, multi-layered analyses, are setting the stage for larger-scale research on long-lived individuals to identify common patterns and actionable insights. I foresee a future where we can develop interventions—be it through diet, microbiome modulation, or genetic therapies—that slow aging processes and extend healthy lifespans. The challenge will be translating these findings into practical, accessible solutions while ensuring they’re safe and equitable. We’re just scratching the surface, but the potential to redefine what aging means is incredibly exciting.
