A 117-Year-Old's Biology Challenges Our View of Aging

Scientists studied Maria Branyas, the oldest verified person, through genome, proteome, epigenome, metabolome, transcriptome, and microbiome analyses. They found a paradox: signs of advanced aging (short telomeres, pro‑inflammatory immunity, clonal hematopoiesis) coexisted with protective traits (genetic variants linked to immune fitness and brain/heart protection, favorable lipid metabolism, very low inflammation, and a gut microbiome rich in Bifidobacterium). Epigenetic clocks suggested her cells behaved younger than her years by as much as about 23 years in some measures, implying aging and disease can be decoupled at the molecular level. The study warns that extreme longevity likely requires a rare genetic-lifestyle-environment blend and points to biomarkers for healthy aging as potential strategies to extend life expectancy.