The project's research is now uncovering the mechanisms that allow continued vitality in these long-lived animals. With that knowledge it will help us understand why humans are healthy for many years, but then start having more and more age-related problems. Because of our aging population, the research will have enormous benefits for humanity, not only in greater health and enjoyment of later years, but in controlling the escalating costs of Social Security and medical care.

Only a few projects in the world study long-lived animals. AgelessAnimals reports the latest research to both general and gerontological audiences. Current research from 14 pilot studies, located at twelve universities around the United States and two in Europe, encompass topics from Free-radical damage to DNA Micro-array gene expression.

It has operated almost entirely with volunteer effort by both the director and the research institutions involved. Although many promising pilot studies have been started, the project cannot secure more samples and expand its scope without financial support from concerned individuals like yourself.