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A genomic study of sharks who live for 400 years could help treat cancer and boost lifespans in humans.
The Greenland shark is considered the longest living vertebrate on earth after a landmark 2016 study found they can live for four centuries and reach sexual maturity aged 150.
One shark studied by researchers was estimated to have been born in the 1600s, which would make it older than George Washington, Marie Antoinette and Napoleon.
Longevity researchers are now actively investigating how Greenland sharks achieve their lifespans without experiencing the cell damage and cancer risks affecting other species.
A new study, not yet peer reviewed, indicates that the sharks have a “robust immune defence” against disease and an enhanced ability to repair and respond to the DNA damage that typically comes with age.
The scientists say their findings highlight “potential genetic mechanisms” that could aid future longevity research.
