Story perspectives

Jonathan’s genome reveals aging and cancer-linked gene variants

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Scientists on Saint Helena sequenced the genome of Jonathan, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise.
The genome contained 287 unique variants linked to DNA repair, tumor suppression and mitochondrial function.
Jonathan’s mitochondrial gene regions showed low methylation entropy, similar to a five-year-old tortoise.
Researchers identified extra copies of a gene that targets aging and cancer cells.
The study appeared in Science Advances on Oct 7 2026.

1 of 1

Story summary

Scientists on Saint Helena sequenced the genome of Jonathan, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise.
The genome contained 287 unique variants linked to DNA repair, tumor suppression and mitochondrial function.
Jonathan’s mitochondrial gene regions showed low methylation entropy, similar to a five-year-old tortoise.
Researchers identified extra copies of a gene that targets aging and cancer cells.
The study appeared in Science Advances on Oct 7 2026.