Study of 117-Year-Old Maria Branyas Finds Cells Looked 23 Years Younger
Updated
Updated · SciTechDaily · May 30
Study of 117-Year-Old Maria Branyas Finds Cells Looked 23 Years Younger
2 articles · Updated · SciTechDaily · May 30
A Cell Reports Medicine study of Maria Branyas — who died in 2024 at 117 years and 168 days — found her biological age appeared more than 23 years younger in one epigenetic analysis.
Researchers said Branyas showed a dual pattern: clear markers of extreme aging, including short telomeres and clonal hematopoiesis, yet no cancer, dementia or major cardiovascular disease.
Her biology also carried protective traits, including rare variants tied to immune and heart health, very low inflammation, favorable cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and high Bifidobacterium in her gut microbiome.
The team called it the most comprehensive supercentenarian study yet, using blood, saliva, urine and stool to map her genome, proteome, epigenome, metabolome, transcriptome and microbiome.
Scientists cautioned one case cannot explain longevity on its own, but said Branyas offers biomarkers and possible strategies for healthier aging by showing aging and disease can diverge.
Her body aged, but she never got sick. Is this the secret to separating lifespan from healthspan?
Her cells were 23 years younger. Can science unlock this biological 'fountain of youth' for everyone?
With rare longevity genes, how much did her simple Mediterranean diet and daily yogurt truly matter?
Inside the Biology of a 116-Year-Old: The Multi-Omics Study of Maria Branyas Morera’s Extreme Longevity
Overview
Researchers conducted a landmark multi-omics study on Maria Branyas Morera when she was 116 years old, aiming to uncover the biological secrets behind her extraordinary longevity. This comprehensive investigation used an unprecedented depth of analysis across multiple biological layers to construct a detailed molecular profile of Maria. The in-depth analysis provided a rich tapestry of data, offering insights into the biological factors that allowed her to live well beyond the average human lifespan. The study’s comprehensive nature promises to illuminate how Maria’s unique biological makeup contributed to her sustained vitality and healthy aging.