October 1, 2025
3 min learn
How the World’s Oldest Lady Lived to 117
Maria Branyas Morera was the oldest particular person on the planet when she died. Scientists analysed her genes, metabolism and extra
Maria Branyas Morera had been verified because the oldest residing particular person when she died final 12 months at age 117.
Xavier Dengra (Public Area)
Maria Branyas Morera lived to the age of 117 with a little bit of genetic luck and a nutritious diet that included every day yogurts, in accordance with a research printed at this time in Cell Stories Medication. Throughout her ultimate 12 months — she died on 19 August 2024 — she was verified because the oldest residing particular person, a feat that drew the eye of researchers who discover the biology of ageing.
“We wished to study from her specific case to profit different folks,” says Manel Esteller, a doctor specializing in genetics on the College of Barcelona in Spain.
On the time, Branyas was residing within the small city of Olot, within the Catalonia area of Spain, the place she loved studying books, taking part in with canines and spending time with family and friends, together with her two daughters — each of their 90s. Over a number of encounters with Branyas and her household, Esteller and his colleagues collected samples of her blood, saliva, urine and stool that offered insights into her distinctive physiology, together with her genetics, metabolism and intestine microbiome.
On supporting science journalism
If you happen to’re having fun with this text, contemplate supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By buying a subscription you’re serving to to make sure the way forward for impactful tales concerning the discoveries and concepts shaping our world at this time.
The supercentenarian was comfortable to collaborate. “She was a really humble particular person,” Esteller recollects. “She mentioned: ‘My solely advantage is that I’m alive’.”
The researchers in contrast Branyas’s genetic, metabolomic and different profiles with these of ladies of varied ages residing in the identical area. One of many primary insights from the work, Esteller says, is that it’s doable to differentiate molecular adjustments that occur within the physique due to ageing from people who happen due to poor well being.
As an illustration, the analysis group learnt that Branyas’s telomeres — the stretches of repetitive DNA that shield the ends of chromosomes — had been exceptionally brief. Telomeres naturally shorten with age, and unusually brief telomeres have been related to age-related ailments. However Branyas had no such sicknesses. “That is telling us that the lack of telomeres will not be essentially related to illness, it’s merely related to being outdated,” Esteller says.
Mayana Zatz, a geneticist on the College of São Paulo in Brazil who research the genetics of wholesome centenarians, says the research is thorough however notes that conclusions which might be based mostly on a single particular person are restricted. “It could be fascinating to check the findings with supercentenarians in different populations,” she says.
Successful the genetics lottery
Whereas analysing Branyas’s genome, the authors noticed genetic variants which might be recognized to guard towards heart problems, cognitive loss and diabetes. Against this, they discovered no variants related to elevated threat for sure deleterious situations, together with Alzheimer’s illness.
The researchers additionally regarded for genes linked to longevity. “She had variants in genes that, in different beings like canines, worms and flies, are related to excessive lifespan,” Esteller says. “She was fortunate within the genetics lottery.”
However her luck didn’t finish there. Branyas aced her bloodwork; she had low ranges of ‘dangerous’ ldl cholesterol and excessive ranges of ‘good’ ldl cholesterol, which suggests an environment friendly lipid metabolism. Her irritation markers had been additionally low and she or he had a robust immune system — on the age of 113, she was the oldest particular person in Spain to have COVID-19 and survive. “Generally our immune cells get a bit bit unloyal and begin to assault our personal cells, inflicting irritation,” Esteller says. “There was nothing like that.”
Esteller thinks Branyas’s lack of irritation could possibly be linked to her wholesome intestine microbiome, which resembled that of a a lot youthful particular person. He factors to her excessive ranges of Bifidobacterium, a genus of helpful micro organism that was most likely boosted by her weight loss program, which included three every day servings of yogurt.
A few of her different life-style selections that most likely contributed to her longevity included consuming a Mediterranean weight loss program and exercising often. “Our genes are the playing cards in a poker recreation,” Esteller says. “However how we play them is what actually issues.”
This text is reproduced with permission and was first printed on September 24, 2025.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you happen to loved this text, I’d wish to ask in your assist. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and trade for 180 years, and proper now often is the most important second in that two-century historical past.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I used to be 12 years outdated, and it helped form the best way I have a look at the world. SciAm at all times educates and delights me, and evokes a way of awe for our huge, stunning universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you happen to subscribe to Scientific American, you assist make sure that our protection is centered on significant analysis and discovery; that we have now the sources to report on the choices that threaten labs throughout the U.S.; and that we assist each budding and dealing scientists at a time when the worth of science itself too usually goes unrecognized.
In return, you get important information, charming podcasts, sensible infographics, can’t-miss newsletters, must-watch movies, difficult video games, and the science world’s greatest writing and reporting. You possibly can even reward somebody a subscription.
There has by no means been a extra vital time for us to face up and present why science issues. I hope you’ll assist us in that mission.
