Ageless DNA – the epigenetics of extreme centenarians

Can extremely long-lived vertebrates protect their genomic DNA by modifying the bases? A lifespan beyond 200 years is extremely rare but achieved by a handful of diverse vertebrates. No single genetic key to unlock longevity has been identified, but it may be hidden in the bases themselves. It is well-known that changes in epigenetic patterns, particularly global genomic methylation loss, is closely linked to aging. But epigenetic studies of extremely long-lived vertebrates are very limited: no one has analysed their DNA for modifications beyond 5mC. The complementary use of more chemically robust DNA modifications could decrease epigenetic drift and thereby contribute to their longevity. This project uses state-of-the-art chemical analyses coupled with second and third generation sequencing techniques to resolve the potential presence, nature and genetic context of extremely long-lived vertebrate DNA modifications to reveal interactions potentially affecting longevity.