A giant tortoise named Jonathan, believed to be about 194 years old, is helping scientists look for the secrets of an extremely long life. He is thought to be the oldest living land animal in the world, and genetic testing on him has turned up some surprising results. The researchers say his long life comes down to more than good genes. His body also seems to have suffered very little genetic wear over almost two centuries.
A life that began in 1832
Jonathan is an Aldabra giant tortoise, and he is believed to have hatched in 1832. That makes him a contemporary of Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens. He has spent most of his life on St. Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
He lives on the grounds of Plantation House, the governor’s residence. Jonathan came to the island 144 years ago from the Seychelles, already fully grown, as a gift to the governor.
What the genes revealed
The study found 287 distinct gene variants that appear to soften the usual effects of ageing in Jonathan. According to the researchers, these variants control key bodily processes, including repairing damaged DNA, reducing inflammation, regulating insulin and suppressing cancer.
The team also studied his epigenome, the set of on and off switches that control his genes, and compared it with those of younger giant tortoises of the same species. The switches governing Jonathan’s DNA repair and metabolism genes turned out to be very similar to those of his younger relatives.
This matters because the epigenome normally changes as time passes, and those changes are a big part of why older bodies begin to break down. The work, published in the journal Science Advances, is the first study of the epigenome of a giant tortoise.
The scientists’ view
The research was led by Kallel, a non-profit organisation that studies longevity.
Dr. Justin Gerlach, a Cambridge University scientist who took part, said the gene regulators involved in energy production and DNA repair had stayed "incredibly stable" in Jonathan over almost two centuries. He described working with such an old animal as a privilege.
Dr. Stephen Clark, the study’s senior author and founder of Kallel, said nature has already solved the puzzle of ageing in remarkable ways. In his words, Jonathan’s genome provides a blueprint for cellular resilience.
Where things stand
Clark said the aim is to take these insights from evolution and quickly turn them into practical, affordable treatments for ordinary people. He added that, with the help of philanthropic partners, the team hopes to democratise access to longevity medicine.
For now, Jonathan carries on with his quiet life at Plantation House. He is still a living link to the early 19th century. He may also turn out to be a very useful teacher for the people who study how long a body can last.
Source: Daily Express US
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