What makes a long healthy life?

Why do some animals stay healthy for decades, while others develop age-related diseases much earlier?

We use the naked mole rat, an exceptionally long-lived rodent, to understand the biology of healthy ageing. Unlike most mammals, naked mole rats show remarkable resistance to age-related decline, maintaining metabolic health and brain function well into old age. This makes them a powerful model to uncover mechanisms that protect against disease. Our research explores how biological rhythms, metabolism, and brain function interact to support long-term health. In particular, we study how circadian clocks influence ageing processes and metabolic resilience. By comparing these mechanisms to other species, we aim to identify pathways that could help improve human health, particularly in areas where metabolism and hormonal changes intersect, such as ageing and midlife transitions.

BBC Unexpected Elements: Rulers and the rules of ageing

National Geographic. Naked mole rats are fertile until they die. Here's how that can help us

BBC Future. What naked mole-rats can teach us about treating cancer

Bradford Science Festival 2020. The secrets of naked mole rats. Oct 23 - No 01, 2020.