Another way to look at longevity:

At Targeting Longevity, we usually focus on human aging. But longevity is not only a human story. Many important clues come from animals, their genomes, and the data behind them. That is why we invited Professor Yasukazu Nakamura from National Institute of Genetics (NIG), Japan to speak at Targeting Longevity 2026.

Professor Nakamura works at the National Institute of Genetics in Japan, where he leads the Genome Informatics Laboratory. His daily work revolves around genomes. He analyzes and annotates DNA, builds genome databases, and develops tools to improve the accuracy, annotation, and accessibility of genomic data for the research community. He is also involved in managing the DNA Data Bank of Japan, one of the major global repositories of genetic information that supports life science research worldwide.

You might ask how this fits into a longevity meeting.

Professor Nakamura’s answer comes from animals. He is currently involved in two projects that address longevity in very concrete ways. One looks at large dog breeds, which tend to live shorter lives than small dogs. By studying canine genomes, his team is trying to understand which genetic factors influence lifespan and how longevity in large dogs might be extended.

Another project focuses on long-lived cats. His group is studying their intestinal bacteria to explore how gut flora relates to healthy aging and lifespan. This topic connects directly to the growing interest in the microbiome and its role in aging across species, including humans.

Professor Nakamura talk shows another facet of longevity. Not interventions, but foundations. Not only humans, but animals. Not only biology, but data, infrastructure, and careful genome analysis that make all other discoveries possible.

By bringing this perspective to Targeting Longevity 2026, we hope to widen the conversation and remind ourselves that longevity research is stronger when it crosses disciplines, species, and ways of thinking.

Targeting Longevity 2026
April 8-9, 2026
 – Berlin, Germany

www.targeting-longevity.com