Scientists are studying this remarkable creature to unlock secrets that could revolutionise human health and longevity.
Like a niche Marvel superhero, the naked mole rat defies the laws of ageing.
While similar sized mammals such as mice live to around four years of age, naked mole rats can reach 30 years, remaining fertile until the end. It’s the equivalent of a human living to 300 and then having a baby.
In 1825, mathematician Benjamin Gompertz discovered Gompertz Law, where the risk of death in mammals rises exponentially with age (in humans, it doubles every eight years). Yet, after the naked mole rat reaches sexual maturity, its chance of dying remains the same – at 1 in 10,000.
Its key superpowers are special mechanisms for repairing damaged DNA (which can lead to disease) and high levels of ‘chaperone molecules’, which enable proteins to function properly, thus keeping the rat healthy. It also has genes that prevent the cell divisions that cause cancer.
By studying this humble rodent, scientists may gain a better understanding of ageing and perhaps new treatments for cancer patients.
Discover our series on medical innovations rooted in nature's remarkable adaptations...
From giraffe-inspired ventilators and koalas' digestive wisdom, to frog-based life-support systems, we explore how the animal kingdom shapes human healthcare.
We also explore midge-like painless injections, what ants taught humans about managing a pandemic, crane-derived temperature control, white-blooded fish cold resistance, whale-mimicking heart treatments and chimpanzee-informed grief management. Join us as we uncover how wildlife continues to revolutionise medicine.