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Jonathan the Giant Tortoise Is 194 Years Old. He Just Had His Genome Sequenced.
- Saint Helena
- Seychelles
- Charles Darwin
- British Overseas Territories
- University of Cambridge
- Aldabra
- United Kingdom
- Queen Victoria
What happened
Scientists sequenced the genome of Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise on St. Helena estimated at 194 years old and considered the oldest known land animal. The study, published Oct. 7 in Science Advances, found 287 unique gene variants and unusually youthful gene switches tied to mitochondria, the cells' energy producers. Researchers say that doesn't yet prove the cause.
Summary
Jonathan has been around since about 1832, and now scientists have read his DNA for the first time. The Aldabra giant tortoise lives on the grounds of the governor's residence on St. Helena, a remote British island in the South Atlantic. He is blind from cataracts but still hears well. A team led by the Kallel Foundation, a Nashville longevity nonprofit founded by Stephen Clark, reported Oct. 7 in Science Advances that Jonathan carries 287 gene variants not found in the other tortoises studied. Some of those genes are involved in repairing DNA, maintaining telomeres (the protective caps on chromosomes), regulating insulin and suppressing cancer. [1] [3] [4] [5] [7] [9] [12]
The finding that surprised the team came from the chemical tags that switch genes on and off, known as the epigenome. Across most of his genes, Jonathan's tags had grown disordered with age, as expected. But in 272 genes, many tied to mitochondria, the tags stayed as orderly as a young tortoise's. Clark suspects a loop: healthy mitochondria make the energy that keeps them healthy. Getting the DNA wasn't easy. Island officials refused a blood draw over health concerns, so veterinarian Joe Hollins scraped cells from Jonathan's cheek. Gaps had to be filled with another tortoise's DNA, leaving a sequence Clark says is about 95 percent Jonathan. [1] [4] [5] [6] [8] [9]
Researchers stress this is an early step. Clark says they can't say whether the orderly genes keep Jonathan alive or result from something else. Outside scientists urge caution, too. Björn Schumacher of the University of Cologne noted that Jonathan's round-the-clock care could make him an outlier, and Vincent Lynch of the University at Buffalo said his full genetic profile can't be known until tissues are available after his death. Next, Kallel hopes to study more Aldabra tortoises and other long-lived species, and to test older generic drugs for aging. Clark said that with enough funding, "we could start next year." [1] [2] [4] [5] [6] [9]
Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 12 sources below. See all sources
Key questions
How old is Jonathan the tortoise?
Jonathan is estimated to be about 194 years old, based partly on photos showing him fully grown around 1882, when he arrived on St. Helena from the Seychelles. St. Helena officially recognized Dec. 4, 1832, as his birthday, though the exact date is uncertain. [6] [8] [9] [12]
Could Jonathan's genes help people live longer?
Clark hopes the findings will point to drugs that keep human mitochondria younger, but researchers say the results are preliminary and come from a single animal. Any human use would take extensive testing, and it will take a long time to know whether it is possible. [2] [3] [6] [8]
Sources 12
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1The New York TimesRead on The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
Jonathan the Giant Tortoise Is 194 Years Old. He Just Had His Genome Sequenced.
Dr. Joe Hollins slides a thick welding glove onto his left hand and grips a cotton swab tightly in his right.
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2AxiosRead on Axios (opens in a new tab)
Scientists look to 194-year-old tortoise for clues about healthy aging
Why it matters: The researchers say the work now underway could help identify medical interventions that help humans stay healthy longer.
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3GizmodoRead on Gizmodo (opens in a new tab)
Jonathan the Tortoise Has Survived 2 Centuries and a Fake Death. Now Scientists Are Unraveling His Anti-Aging Secrets
On April 1 of this year, several news outlets reported the death of Jonathan, the nearly bicentenarian giant tortoise. Thankfully, the rumors of Jonathan's demise were greatly exaggerated.
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4livescience.comRead on livescience.com (opens in a new tab)
Scientists discover the genetic secrets that may have helped Jonathan the tortoise live to 194 years old
The remote south Atlantic island of St. Helena boasts an international celebrity: the tortoise Jonathan, the oldest living land animal.
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5IFLScienceRead on IFLScience (opens in a new tab)
We Finally Know How Jonathan The Tortoise, The World's Oldest Land Animal, Is Still Alive And Kicking At 194
Since he was mature at the time of his arrival, researchers estimate he's around 192 to 194 years old.
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6Scientific AmericanRead on Scientific American (opens in a new tab)
Scientists unlock the longevity secrets of 194-year-old Jonathan the giant tortoise
I agree my information will be processed in accordance with the Scientific American Inc. Privacy Policy. We leverage third party services to both verify and deliver email.
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7Popular ScienceRead on Popular Science (opens in a new tab)
Jonathan the tortoise is 194 years old and thriving. His genes help explain why.
More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.
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8Gadget ReviewRead on Gadget Review (opens in a new tab)
The 194-Year-Old Tortoise Scientists Hope Can Explain Extreme Longevity
Findings remain observational, requiring further validation before any application to human aging research.
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9EurekAlert!Read on EurekAlert! (opens in a new tab)
An extremely old giant tortoise named Jonathan May hold the secret to a long, healthy life: Study
An international collaboration led by a neurologist and experts in advanced genomics at Vanderbilt Health has coaxed one of the secrets of extreme longevity from a 194-year-old giant tortoise named…
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10YahooRead on Yahoo (opens in a new tab)
Jonathan the tortoise is 194 years old and thriving. His genes help explain why.
Scientists studying Jonathan's genetic mechanisms aim to translate evolutionary insights into practical, affordable treatments for aging-related chronic diseases, with the goal of democratizing…
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11Yahoo News UKRead on Yahoo News UK (opens in a new tab)
The world's oldest tortoise could hold the secret to longer life for humans
Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The DNA from the world's oldest tortoise may hold the secret to human ageing, as scientists say the animal's super genes could…
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12KULR-8 Local NewsRead on KULR-8 Local News (opens in a new tab)
What is keeping the world's oldest tortoise going at 194?
A giant tortoise called Jonathan could hold the key to living to 200 years of age, say scientists.
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