Jonathan’s genome reveals clues to resisting ageing and living longer

Jonathan, a 194-year-old giant tortoise approaching his 195th birthday, has revealed clues about resisting ageing after scientists sequenced his complete genome. The discovery that parts of his biological machinery, particularly his mitochondria, function with the vigour of much younger animals offers valuable insights into how certain creatures resist the effects of age, with potential implications for understanding human longevity.

Researchers extracted DNA from Jonathan's cheek using a swab and published their findings in the journal Science Advances, identifying genetic variants associated with DNA repair, metabolism regulation and cancer protection. Most notably, the chemical patterns regulating his mitochondrial function, the structures that supply energy to cells, resembled those of considerably younger tortoises, despite his extraordinary age. Jonathan, who has lived on the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena since 1882 when he arrived already fully grown, also shares longevity-related genes with other exceptionally long-lived species such as naked mole rats.