Bowhead whales may unlock the secrets to a long, healthy life

Map of giant cetacean’s genome could explain its 200-year lifespan

bowhead whale

SENIOR CETACEANS  The bowhead whale is the first large whale to have its genome analyzed. Researchers are using the genetic blueprint to study why the whales can live longer than 200 years.

Loke Film and Adam Schmedes/Cell Reports 2015

For clues to the genetic underpinnings of a long, healthy life, researchers have unlocked the genome of the massive bowhead whale.