--- title: "Kurchatov Institute Studies Aging on a Collection of Thousands of Elderly Monkeys" description: "At the Kurchatov Genomic Forum, Mikhail Kovalchuk spoke about studying aging on a collection of over 7,000 monkeys of 22 species and creating a blood biobank of long-livers." date: 2026-11-11T12:51:47.904Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kurchatov-institute-studies-aging-elderly-monkeys tags: [longevity-research, kurchatov-institute, russia-science, aging, genomics, primates] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Kurchatov Institute Studies Aging on a Collection of Thousands of Elderly Monkeys ![Vladimir Putin and Mikhail Kovalchuk at the negotiating table against the background of the Russian flag](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/11/kurchatov-institut-izuchaet-starenie-na-pozhilyh-obezyanah/kurchatov-institut-izuchaet-starenie-na-pozhilyh-obezyanah-1.webp) ## Key Points - The Kurchatov Institute is conducting aging research on a collection of over 7,000 monkeys across 22 species, including animals aged 18 to 30+ years. - Together with the Russian Research Center of Surgery, a blood biobank of long-lived monkeys has been created to study the biological mechanisms of aging. - The project was announced by Mikhail Kovalchuk, described as a close associate and informal scientific adviser to the Russian president. - The 2027–2029 budget allocates nearly 18 billion rubles for the "New Health Preservation Technologies" program. At the Kurchatov Genomic Forum in Moscow, Mikhail Kovalchuk, described by Russian and foreign media as a long-time associate and informal scientific adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, spoke about Kurchatov Institute programs aimed at finding ways to extend human life. According to him, Russian researchers have assembled a collection of elderly primates to study the mechanisms of aging. Kovalchuk emphasized that primates are the closest fauna representatives to humans and serve as the "basis for creating a regulatory system" in this field. ### Collection of Elderly Primates and Full Screening As Kovalchuk reported, the institute's nurseries house more than 7,000 monkeys belonging to 22 species. Scientists pay special attention to older animals — ranging from 18 to over 30 years old. "We are screening elderly monkeys to investigate all stages of aging. We evaluate animals aged 18 to over 30 years. We conduct a full screening: biochemical, structural analysis, study blood vessels, the brain — everything," he stated. According to the researchers' design, this work should allow tracing aging through all its stages in a species as close to humans as possible. ### Biobank of Long-Lived Monkey Blood In addition to population screening, the Kurchatov Institute, together with the Russian Research Center of Surgery, has created a special biobank containing blood samples from long-lived monkeys. Center Director Konstantin Kotenko explained that these materials will be used to study the biological mechanisms of aging. Thus, the project combines field observations of the primate population with laboratory analysis of biomaterial, which participants say allows building a comprehensive picture of aging-related processes. ### Who Is Behind the Project and the Context of Longevity Interest Mikhail Kovalchuk is described in open sources as a close associate and informal scientific adviser to the head of the Russian state; his brother Yury Kovalchuk, according to media reports, is a billionaire and also part of the inner Kremlin circle. Longevity issues in Russia are reportedly pursued by other figures from the entourage as well: in October, Vladimir Putin's eldest daughter, endocrinologist Maria Vorontsova, spoke at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management, where a longevity laboratory began operating, and called human efforts to exceed natural lifespan limits an attempt to "deceive God." Separately, it is noted that in September 2025 during a visit to China, Putin — based on journalists' analysis of their conversation — discussed with Chinese leader Xi Jinping the prospect of extending human life to 150 years. ### Funding and Related Areas Research in genetics and longevity in Russia is not limited to working with primates: scientists are also developing cellular aging slowdown via gene therapy and growing organs for transplantation inside genetically modified mini-pigs. According to reports, significant state funding is allocated for such developments: the budget for 2027–2029 earmarks nearly 18 billion rubles for the "New Health Preservation Technologies" program aimed at finding ways to extend the healthy life period. RBC-Ukraine previously reported that substantial funds are being allocated to projects related to finding ways to extend life, including work with mini-pigs. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Друг Путина ищет секрет долголетия на тысячах обезьян: что известно об эксперименте](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/drug-putina-shukae-sekret-dovgolittya-tisyachah-1794394665.html) - Primary source of the article. Confirms Kovalchuk's speech at the Kurchatov Genomic Forum, data on 7+ thousand monkeys of 22 species, biobank with the Russian Research Center of Surgery (Kotenko), budget of 18 billion rubles for 2027–2029. Caveats: evaluative characteristics of persons and the claim about 150 years (based on journalists' analysis of Putin and Xi Jinping's conversation) are not official confirmations. ## FAQ ### How many monkeys are involved in the Kurchatov Institute's research? According to Mikhail Kovalchuk, the institute's nurseries house over 7,000 monkeys of 22 species, with special screening conducted on older animals aged 18 to over 30 years. ### What is the purpose of the long-lived monkey blood biobank? The biobank was created by the Kurchatov Institute together with the Russian Research Center of Surgery; center director Konstantin Kotenko explained that blood samples will be used to study the biological mechanisms of aging. ### How much funding is allocated for the health preservation program? The budget for 2027–2029 allocates nearly 18 billion rubles for the "New Health Preservation Technologies" program aimed at extending the period of healthy life.