While human lifespans have dramatically increased in recent decades, this progress has been accompanied by a surge in age-related diseases. As scientists seek to extend not just lifespan but also healthspan, a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms behind aging is crucial, scientists at Bar-Ilan University said. While lifespan refers to how long a person lives, healthspan refers to how long a person lives in good health.

The new research sheds light on how long-lived mammals, such as whales, manage to avoid common age-related diseases despite their large size and the substantial number of cells in their bodies. Findings published in the peer-reviewed Nature Communications journal suggest potential therapies that may prevent diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, all of which are on the rise as the human population ages.

The study, led by Prof. Haim Cohen of Bar-Ilan University’s Sagol Healthy Human Longevity Center, in collaboration with Dr. Sagi Snir of the University of Haifa, used a novel computational tool called PHARAOH (Positive posttranslational Modifications Regulator of Healthspan). Developed by PhD student Sarit Feldman-Trabelsi, PHARAOH compares protein sequences across 107 mammalian species with varying lifespans, pinpointing post-translational modifications (PTMs)—chemical changes to proteins—that are enriched in long-lived species.