Is monkey blood secret to immortality? Inside Russia’s bizarre lab tests in quest for eternal life

Russian scientists have launched a primate blood bank to investigate the biology of ageing and explore ways to extend human lifespan, according to independent Russian outlet Agentstvo. The project reportedly brings together the Kurchatov Institute, headed by Vladimir Putin’s close ally Mikhail Kovalchuk, and the Petrovsky Russian Research Centre of Surgery. Scientists will study blood samples from long-lived primates to understand the ageing process, while also examining the brains and blood vessels of monkeys aged 18 to over 30. Surgery centre director Konstantin Kotenko announced the initiative at the Kurchatov Genomic Forum. Kovalchuk said the research could help develop methods to extend human life. The project has renewed attention on Putin’s reported interest in longevity.