# Russian Institute Launches Primate Blood Bank for Anti-Aging Research Scientists study long-lived monkeys to develop regulatory systems for extending human lifespan. - **Source:** [Meduza English](https://meduza.io/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [science](https://brifing.si/c/science) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e05136d7-9cc6-4f1e-9bbe-f7a9b83bd357 ## New Primate Blood Bank The Kurchatov Institute has partnered with the Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery to establish a comprehensive bank of blood samples from long-lived primates. This initiative aims to investigate the biological mechanisms of aging. Director Konstantin Kotenko confirmed that researchers are currently analyzing samples to understand how cellular degradation affects various organs. ## Scope of Biological Study Scientists are currently examining over 7,000 monkeys across 22 different species housed at the institute's breeding facilities. The research focuses on primates aged between 18 and 30 years old. Teams are specifically monitoring the condition of blood vessels, brain tissue, and other vital organs to identify markers associated with the aging process. ## Political and Scientific Ties Mikhail Kovalchuk, the head of the Kurchatov Institute, is a close associate and informal science adviser to Vladimir Putin. His brother, Yuri Kovalchuk, is a billionaire also linked to the president's inner circle. These connections have positioned the institute as a central hub for state-backed projects focused on longevity and biotechnology development. ## State-Backed Longevity Goals Reports from 2024 suggest that Mikhail Kovalchuk is a primary architect behind a state-led anti-aging project. Kremlin sources have described this initiative as an obsession amplified by intense lobbying efforts. The project seeks to create a regulatory system that could theoretically extend human life, aligning with broader national scientific research priorities. ## Presidential Interest in Immortality Vladimir Putin has expressed personal interest in life extension, discussing the potential to reach 150 years of age. During a September 2025 visit to China, he spoke with President Xi Jinping about biotechnology. Putin suggested that advancements in organ transplantation could eventually allow humans to achieve a state of biological immortality. ## Mechanisms of Life Extension The research program aims to translate findings from primate studies into human applications. By analyzing how monkeys maintain organ function over decades, scientists hope to develop interventions that slow biological decline. Kovalchuk stated that this primate research is essential for establishing the regulatory framework required for future human lifespan extension technologies. ## Context of Russian Biotech The Kurchatov Genomic Forum served as the platform for announcing these specific research developments. The integration of surgery centers and genomic research institutes highlights a multidisciplinary approach to aging. This strategy reflects a broader trend in Russian state science, where high-level political objectives directly influence the focus of major research institutions. ## Future Research Implications The project remains a subject of intense scrutiny due to its ambitious goals and political backing. While the focus is on biological markers, the ultimate objective is the creation of systemic anti-aging protocols. Observers are now looking for further clinical data to determine if these primate studies can yield viable human therapies. ## Sources covering this story - https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/11/10/vladimir-putin-has-talked-about-living-to-150-now-a-science-institute-run-by-his-close-friend-has-created-a-bank-of-blood-samples-from-long-lived-primates-in-search-of-a-way-to-slow-aging — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._