DCU Research published in Cell Reports

Insights into the Evolution of Longevity from the Bowhead Whale Genome

Research being conducted by Dr Mary O’Connell’s research group (DCU School of Biotechnology), as part of an international collaboration, has been published in the prestigious publication Cell Reports.

The research has facilitated the sequencing of the genome of the bowhead whale, the longest-lived mammal, providing an opportunity to study the evolution of mammalian longevity. Bowhead-specific mutations in genes associated with cancer and aging, as well as other traits, such as thermoregulation, sensory perception, dietary adaptations, and immune response, have been identified.

The article has garnered quite a lot of media attention internationally featuring on websites such as IFLScience and on news stations from Australia to the USA. 

Read the article here.