Discovered cancer resistance mechanisms in naked mole-rats and long-lived mammals
Vera Gorbunova is a professor of biology at the University of Rochester who studies exceptionally long-lived species to unlock the secrets of aging and cancer resistance. Her groundbreaking research on naked mole-rats revealed that these animals produce high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid that prevents cancer and promotes tissue integrity. She has also studied bowhead whales (lifespan 200+ years) and bats to identify genes and pathways that could extend human healthspan. Her comparative biology approach offers unique insights into natural anti-aging mechanisms.