The paper analyzes longitudinal body weight data in mice to identify traits linked to lifespan, finding heritable traits associated with energy homeostasis and longevity.

Nature Communications · Jan 19, 2026Peer-reviewedPhysiology

Geographic distribution of genetic diversity of Heterocephalus glaber analyzed using whole genome sequencing and a chromosome-scale genome assembly

Kevin M. Wright, Pranidhi Sood, Elena D. Zemlemerova, Danila S. Kostin, Nicole L. Fong, Nelda Yi, Andrea T. Ireland, Irene Lam, Kaitlyn N. Lewis Hardell, Megan Smith, Jackie Villalta, Calvin H. Jan, Margaret A. Roy, David Botstein, Leonid A. Lavrenchenko, , Rochelle Buffenstein

The paper analyzes genetic diversity in naked mole-rats from Kenya and Ethiopia using whole-genome sequencing and a chromosome-scale genome assembly, revealing unexpected genetic divergence patterns.

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution · Nov 24, 2025Peer-reviewedEcology

Analysis of lifespan across Diversity Outbred mouse studies identifies multiple longevity-associated loci

Martin N. Mullis, Kevin M. Wright, Anil Raj, Daniel M. Gatti, Peter C. Reifsnyder, Kevin Flurkey, Jonathan R. Archer, Laura L. Robinson, Andrea Di Francesco, Karen L. Svenson, Ron Korstanje, David E. Harrison, J. Graham Ruby, Gary A. Churchill

This study identifies six longevity-associated loci in Diversity Outbred mice through a genetic meta-analysis of lifespan data from three studies, explaining over half of the heritable variation in lifespan.

Genetics · May 6, 2025Peer-reviewedGenetics

Regulators of health and lifespan extension in genetically diverse mice on dietary restriction

Andrea Di Francesco, Andrew G. Deighan, Lev Litichevskiy, Zhenghao Chen, Alison Luciano, Laura L. Robinson, Gaven Garland, Hannah Donato, Matthew J. Vincent, Will Schott, Kevin M. Wright, Anil Raj, G.V. Prateek, Martin N. Mullis, Warren G. Hill, , Gary A. Churchill

In 937 genetically diverse female mice, caloric restriction and intermittent fasting extended lifespan, yet bodyweight resilience, immune and red-cell traits, not metabolic improvements, predicted longevity.

Nature · Oct 9, 2024Peer-reviewedGenetics✦ In-depth digest

The Molecular Architecture of Variable Lifespan in Diversity Outbred Mice

Sean R. Hackett, Majed Mohamed Magzoub, Tobias M Maile, Ngoc Vu, Kevin M. Wright, Eugene Melamud, Wilhelm Haas, Fiona Elizabeth McAllister, Gary A. Churchill, Bryson D. Bennett

The paper analyzes the multiome of Diversity Outbred mice to explore how aging and lifespan are related, finding that proteomic changes correlate with biological age rather than chronological age.

bioRxiv · Oct 26, 2023 · PreprintSystems Biology

Age and diet shape the genetic architecture of body weight in Diversity Outbred mice

Kevin M. Wright, Andrew G. Deighan, Andrea Di Francesco, Adam Freund, Vladimir Jojic, Gary A. Churchill, Anil Raj

The paper quantifies diet-dependent genetic contributions to body weight in mice and identifies loci associated with age- and diet-dependent body weight variation.

eLife · May 23, 2022Peer-reviewedGenetics

Intermittent fasting and caloric restriction interact with genetics to shape physiological health in mice

Guozhu Zhang, Andrew G. Deighan, Anil Raj, Laura L. Robinson, Hannah Donato, Gaven Garland, Mackenzie Leland, Baby Martin-McNulty, Ganesh A. Kolumam, Johannes Riegler, Adam Freund, Kevin M. Wright, Gary A. Churchill

This study examines how caloric restriction and intermittent fasting interact with genetics to influence physiological health in mice, finding diet-specific effects and significant genetic contributions to multiple traits.

Genetics · Sep 25, 2021Peer-reviewedGenetics