• New York Times Article Betterhumans Supercentenarian Research Study
    New York Times Article
    on the Betterhumans
    Supercentenarian Research Study
    The Secret to Long Life?
    It May Lurk in the DNA of the Oldest Among Us
    By Amy Harmon
    Nov. 13, 2017
  • Emma Morano
    World's Most Comprehensive
    Genomic Study
    James Clement, Study Manager with Emma Morano, taken Dec. 9, 2011.
    Emma died on April 15th, 2017. She was 117 years and 137 days.
  • Giuseppe Mirabella
    Seeking Participants
    To Enroll in Our Study
    James Clement, Study Manager drinking coffee with Giuseppe Mirabella
    in Nov. 2011. Giuseppe died in Sicily at 110 years and 206 days.

Welcome to the Betterhumans Supercentenarian Research Study

The world's most comprehensive genomic study of supercentenarians and their families



Participate in Study

We are seeking participants to enroll in our Supercentenarian Research Study. Enrollment is open to individuals at least 105 and their family.
Participate

Genome Search

Browse and search through Betterhumans' database of supercentenarian genomes. Explore their variants for cancer, diabetes, CVD, etc.
Search Database

About Us

Meet the Betterhumans team, sponsor of the world's most comprehensive genomic study of supercentenarians and their families.
Meet our Team

Collaborate

We welcome academic and commercial researchers interesting in collaborating on the analysis of samples from supercentenarians.
Contact Betterhumans




The Betterhumans Supercentenarian Research Study

The world's most comprehensive genomic study of supercentenarians and their families

Supercentenarians are very rare, very precious individuals, who have lived to at least 110 years of age. Surviving decades longer than their peers — often in far better health — supercentenarians may hold the keys to protection from disease, decline, and early death.

Our researchers are engaged in an extensive, international study of individuals demonstrating increased or extreme resistance to devastating, age-related diseases — such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, organ failure, immune system failure, and neurodegeneration — as well as the illness and injury caused by bone and muscle deterioration, dementia, loss of mobility, and cognitive decline.

Supercentenarians have avoided the vast majority of these age-related illnesses, and the study of the protective mechanisms that have ensured their survival may lead to the discovery and development of new treatments and therapies, bringing the good health and great longevity of supercentenarians to the rest of us.

  • Longevity
  • Disease Resistance
  • Protective Genes
Betterhumans Supercentenarian Research Study

Zenon "Babe" St. Laurent was from Rhode Island, USA, a semi-supercentenarian who lived for 108 years, 8 months, and 1 day. At 107, he was still living on his own, managing a billiard hall, taking walks and cycling, and dancing three times a week at his local community center.

There is a great deal of research to support the theory that supercentenarians' longevity is hereditary. The siblings of supercentenarians are up to 17 times more likely to survive to age 100 than the siblings of non-supercentenarians. Many of these individuals also enjoy increased and lifelong resistance to disease, suffering far less age-related morbidity.

Studies reveal a strong link between inherited traits and healthy longevity, as well as mechanisms that protect against a wide variety of illnesses. The careful study of supercentenarians and their families can provide unparalleled insights into the mechanisms of health, aging, and disease.

  • For information on our Research, please click here.
  • For information on how to participate in our study, click here
  • For information on how to collaborate with Betterhumans, click here

Supercentenarian Genome Browser

Browse and search through the Betterhumans database of supercentenarian genomes. Explore their variants for cancer, diabetes, CVD, etc.

SEARCH DATABASE

Sponsored By

We'd like to thank our sponsor, collaborators and contributors for their generous and invaluable support.


Collaborators and Contributors
BioAge Labs
Mackey Web Design Miami
Methuselah Foundation
Veritas Genetics

Participate in the Betterhumans Supercentenarian Research Study!

We are actively seeking participants at least 105 years old and their family members.