People who live for more than 105 years tend to have a unique genetic background that makes their bodies more efficient at repairing DNA, a study has found.
Researchers compared the sequenced genomes of 81 Italians aged 105 and over with healthy adults from the same region that were aged around 68.
They found that certain genetic changes, which were linked to DNA repair, cellular health and the death of damaged cells, were more common in people aged over 105.
The team said that the study represents the first time that the genomes of people with extreme longevity have been decoded in such fine detail.