The Genetics of Longevity

Longevity is not luck. It is biology, variation, and human resilience expressed across generations - and we are only beginning to understand it. And few people have studied longevity more deeply than Professor Mayana Zatz, whose work with centenarians and supercentenarians is reshaping what we know about aging. In this episode of Decoded, Dr. Jurgi Camblong speaks with one of the world’s leading geneticists and a pioneer in rare diseases, aging, and human longevity. Based at the University of São Paulo, Mayana has followed more than 100,000 families to understand why some people develop severe genetic conditions while others remain healthy into their 90s, 100s, and beyond. Together, they explore: • What centenarians and supercentenarians reveal about healthy aging • Why some individuals stay healthy despite carrying high-risk mutations • How genetic resilience may inspire future gene therapies • What large family cohorts teach us about rare diseases and long-term health • The role of prevention in the next era of medicine • Why affordability must be part of the future of genetic treatments A conversation that brings together genetics, aging research, and the real human stories behind long life. A deeper look at what it means to live longer, and live well.#Longevity #Genetics #Aging #Centenarians #Supercentenarians #RareDisease #HumanResilience #GeneTherapy #HealthyAging #GenomicResearch #DecodedPodcast