USP Genetic Study on Brazilian Supercentenarians Reveals Secrets of Extreme Longevity

Breakthrough USP Genetic Study Illuminates Brazilian Supercentenarians' Longevity Secrets

Brazilian researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) have made headlines with a pioneering publication that delves into the genetic and immunological underpinnings of extreme human longevity. Published on January 6, 2026, in the journal Genomic Psychiatry, the viewpoint article titled "Insights from Brazilian Supercentenarians" highlights why the country's diverse population offers unparalleled insights into living beyond 110 years while remaining active and healthy. 44 43 Led by renowned geneticist Mayana Zatz and first author Mateus Vidigal de Castro from USP's Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (Genoma USP), the study underscores the value of admixed populations in uncovering protective mechanisms against aging. 42

This research positions Brazilian universities at the forefront of global longevity science, attracting international attention and opening doors for collaborative genomic studies. For academics and scientists eyeing opportunities in this field, platforms like AcademicJobs.com research jobs list positions in genetics and aging research across Brazil and beyond.

What Defines a Supercentenarian?

A supercentenarian is formally defined as an individual who has reached the age of 110 years or older, a milestone verified through rigorous documentation such as birth certificates, baptism records, and civil registries by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest. This threshold marks extreme longevity, far surpassing the average human lifespan, and is exceedingly rare—estimated at fewer than one in five million people globally. 41

Unlike centenarians (100+ years), supercentenarians often maintain cognitive lucidity, physical independence, and resilience to diseases that plague typical aging. The USP study emphasizes that these individuals actively resist the hallmarks of aging—such as genomic instability, proteostasis loss, and immunosenescence—through unique biological adaptations. 42 This phenomenon challenges conventional views of aging as inevitable decline, suggesting instead pathways for enhanced healthspan.

Brazil's Extraordinary Record in Supercentenarian Demographics

Brazil stands out globally, hosting three of the ten longest-lived validated male supercentenarians worldwide, including the current oldest living man, born on October 5, 1912, now aged 113. 43 Among women, Brazilian supercentenarians rank prominently in the top 15, outnumbering those from larger nations like the United States. According to Brazil's 2022 Census, over 37,000 people exceed 100 years, a figure bolstered by improving healthcare yet rooted in genetic factors. 41

This concentration is particularly striking given socioeconomic challenges in many regions, where supercentenarians often lacked consistent access to modern medicine. Their stories—from rural Northeast to urban South—span diverse environments, making Brazil's cohort ideal for disentangling genetic from lifestyle influences. Higher education institutions like USP and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) are leveraging this national treasure to lead in gerontology.

The Genetic Diversity Powering Brazilian Longevity

Brazil's history of colonization, enslavement, and immigration has forged the world's most admixed population, blending European (Portuguese), African, Indigenous American, and Asian (Japanese) ancestries. The USP study reveals over 8 million previously undescribed genomic variants in Brazilians, including more than 36,000 potentially deleterious ones tolerated in supercentenarians, over 2,000 mobile element insertions, and 140 novel HLA alleles absent from global databases. 44 42

This genetic mosaic likely harbors protective variants invisible in homogeneous cohorts like those from Iceland or Japan. For instance, rare variants in immune genes (e.g., HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRB5, IL7R) and proteostasis regulators appear linked to resilience, as seen in comparative analyses. 42 Researchers argue this diversity explains why Brazilian supercentenarians thrive despite varied diets—no strict Mediterranean patterns here, unlike some global cases.

• European ancestry: ~50-60% in many regions
• African: 20-40%, contributing immune robustness
• Indigenous: Unique metabolic adaptations
• Japanese: Recent influx adding longevity-linked alleles

Such findings elevate Brazilian genomics research, with USP calling for international funding to sequence more genomes. Aspiring geneticists can explore faculty positions in higher ed focused on population genomics.

Unpacking the USP Cohort: Methods and Scale

The Genoma USP team assembled a longitudinal cohort of over 160 centenarians, including 20 validated supercentenarians from heterogeneous Brazilian backgrounds. Methods encompass whole-genome sequencing, multi-omics (transcriptomics, epigenomics), cellular derivations for functional assays, and immunology profiling in partnership with UFMG's Ana Maria Caetano de Faria. 42 41

Participants, many from underserved areas, underwent clinical assessments revealing preserved functionality. Notable inclusions: Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas (died 2025 at 116, once world's oldest) and two of the world's oldest men. The study validates ages via GRG standards and plans five-year expansions targeting 95+ volunteers via dnalongevo@usp.br. 43

This rigorous approach exemplifies Brazilian higher education's commitment to impactful science, fostering PhD and postdoc roles in longevity genomics—check postdoc opportunities.

Immune System Marvels in Supercentenarians

Supercentenarians exhibit "immune resilience" rather than decline: peripheral lymphocytes show youthful proteasomal activity for protein clearance, upregulated autophagy, and expanded cytotoxic CD4+ T cells mimicking CD8+ profiles—rare in youth. 44 Natural killer cells surge, and hormonal regulation preserves sex steroids, countering typical immunosenescence.

These adaptations enable pathogen resistance without modern interventions. Collaborations between USP and UFMG are mapping these via plasma proteomics and single-cell RNA-seq, promising breakthroughs in immunotherapy for age-related diseases.

Real-Life Stories: Brazil's Longevity Families

Familial clustering amplifies insights—a 110-year-old woman with nieces aged 100, 104, and 106 represents one of Brazil's most exceptional families. The eldest niece, Laura de Oliveira (now 106), became a South American swimming champion post-70, exemplifying late-life vitality. 41 Siblings of centenarians are 5-17 times likelier to reach 100+, hinting at polygenic heritability.

Sister Inah, a nun who lived to 116, embodied resilience amid Brazil's 20th-century upheavals. These cases, documented across states, underscore miscigenação's role and fuel USP's quest for epigenetic modifiers.

COVID-19 Survival: Proof of Innate Resilience

Three cohort supercentenarians contracted COVID-19 in 2020—pre-vaccines—and survived with robust IgG, neutralizing antibodies, and innate immune metabolites. This defies age-risk norms, attributing success to preserved proteostasis and adaptive immunity. 43

• High SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers despite 110+ age
• Elevated host defense proteins
• No prior dietary restrictions noted

Such data positions Brazilian research as pivotal for pandemic preparedness in aging populations.

Broader Impacts on Medicine and Society

Discoveries could revolutionize precision medicine, targeting proteostasis enhancers or immune modulators for Alzheimer's, cancer, and frailty. By advocating diverse cohorts, USP addresses equity gaps in genomics, benefiting Global South populations.

Brazilian universities drive this: USP's Genoma Center exemplifies interdisciplinary excellence, from sequencing to stem cells. For career seekers, career advice on academic CVs at AcademicJobs.com aids entry into these labs.

Brazilian Higher Education's Leadership in Longevity Research 🧬

USP and UFMG anchor Brazil's longevity efforts, with Genoma USP sequencing thousands amid national biobanks. This spurs jobs in bioinformatics, immunology, and epidemiology—vital for Brazil higher ed jobs. International consortia are urged to fund expansions, elevating institutions like these.

Looking Ahead: Research Frontiers and Actionable Steps

Future work includes functional assays on derived cells and polygenic risk modeling. Zatz calls for global partnerships: "Expand recruitment to admixed populations like Brazil's." 43

Individuals 95+ can contribute via USP. Researchers, explore research assistant jobs to join this quest.

Why This Matters for Global Health and Academia

The USP study redefines aging as malleable, promising healthspan extension. Brazilian supercentenarians inspire: resilience trumps resources. Visit Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, and career advice for pathways into this transformative field. Engage below and stay informed on longevity breakthroughs.