Russian scientists are examining thousands of monkeys in an ambitious effort to understand ageing, with the research reportedly linked to President Vladimir Putin’s push to extend human lifespan.
The project, led by Mikhail Kovalchuk, 80, involves studying 22 different monkey species, with more than 7,000 animals included in the research.
Researchers at the Kurchatov Institute, one of Russia’s leading scientific establishments, are examining elderly primates to understand how their bodies change as they grow older.
The work reportedly involves collecting samples from the animals, including blood, brain tissue and internal organs, as scientists attempt to identify biological factors linked to longevity.
Speaking at a scientific forum in Moscow, Kovalchuk explained that the team was examining monkeys at different stages of old age.
“We are conducting screenings of elderly monkeys to observe all stages of ageing.
“We evaluate individuals from 18 to over 30 years old,” he said.
The research includes comprehensive examinations such as biochemical and structural analyses, vascular studies and brain scans.
Kovalchuk said primates were particularly valuable to the research because of their biological similarities to humans.
“Primates are the closest example to us. This is the foundation for creating a regulatory system for extending [lifespan],” he said.
Some of the monkeys involved in the project are more than 30 years old. The oldest animals are also being used to establish a specialised blood bank, collecting samples from individuals that have demonstrated exceptional longevity.
The monkey research forms part of a wider collection of longevity initiatives in Russia, including projects at the Petrovsky Russian Scientific Centre of Surgery.
The Kremlin has identified extending life expectancy as a national priority, while Putin has reportedly expressed an ambition to live to 150.
However, the research has yet to establish whether its findings could eventually lead to treatments capable of significantly extending human life.
