Researchers Analyzed Biology of 117-Year-Old Woman
A study published in September 2025 details the genetic and epigenetic factors behind extreme human longevity.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Following the August 2024 death of Maria Branyas Morera at age 117, researchers published a comprehensive study in Cell Reports Medicine examining her unique biological profile. The multi-omics analysis revealed a biological age approximately two decades younger than her chronological age.
Why it matters
This study offers insight into how supercentenarians maintain physiological health despite the advanced wear associated with extreme lifespan. The findings contribute to the broader scientific understanding of the mechanisms that delay the aging process in humans.
Epigenetic clock analysis of Branyas estimated her biological age at approximately two decades younger than her chronological age. The study also noted the presence of exceptionally short telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes—alongside clonal haematopoiesis in her blood system.
The players
Maria Branyas Morera
The world's oldest verified living person as of January 2023 who maintained health until her death at 117.
The details
Researchers employed a multi-omics approach—an integrated analysis of biological datasets including the genome, proteins, and metabolites—to examine tissue samples. The team identified rare genetic variants associated with resistance to cardiovascular and nervous system diseases, as well as an enrichment of Bifidobacterium in her gut microbiome. Scientists applied multiple epigenetic clocks, which measure chemical changes to DNA that regulate gene activity, to quantify the difference between her physiological state and her actual lifespan.
Timeline
1907: Maria Branyas Morera was born in San Francisco.
January 2023: Branyas became the world's oldest verified living person.
August 19, 2024: Maria Branyas Morera died at age 117.
September 2025: Research findings were published in Cell Reports Medicine.
The Tech Race
This study contributes to the growing international effort to catalog the genomic and epigenetic signatures of extreme human longevity. It provides a foundational reference point for comparative studies in the ongoing effort to understand the biological limits of the human lifespan.
While these findings do not provide immediate medical interventions for the public, they identify specific biomarkers associated with healthy aging. The research confirms the potential role of gut microbiota composition and specific genetic profiles in supporting long-term health.
The takeaway
The study suggests that extreme longevity is supported by a combination of protective genetic variants and specific microbiome profiles. Future research will likely focus on whether these biological signatures can be replicated or simulated to improve health span in the general population.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in the field, visit our Life Sciences section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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