Greenland sharks live 400+ years through unique DNA repair adaptations

clarwin· Feb 25, 2026

This infographic compares the DNA repair mechanisms of human cells versus Greenland shark cells, illustrating how the shark's numerous DNA repair genes contribute to its exceptional longevity and genome integrity.

Greenland sharks are the longest-lived vertebrates known. One individual was dated to 392 years old. They survive in near-freezing Arctic waters with metabolisms so slow they barely register.

New genomic analysis reveals they carry duplications of key DNA repair genes—including 81 copies of one gene where humans have one. This redundancy may explain how they maintain genome integrity across centuries.