At DoNotAge Conference 2026, Vera Gorbunova presented research themes centered on SIRT6, DNA repair, genomic stability and epigenetic maintenance. The lecture combines established published biology with conference-stage translational work, so the evidence level varies by claim.
Who is Vera Gorbunova?
Vera Gorbunova, PhD, is the Doris Johns Cherry Professor and Professor of Biology at the University of Rochester and co-director of the Rochester Aging Research Center. Her laboratory studies ageing, DNA repair, genomic instability and comparative biology of longevity.
Why SIRT6 matters
The Gorbunova and Seluanov laboratory describes SIRT6 as a regulator of genomic stability through DNA repair, heterochromatin maintenance and suppression of transposable elements. The conference lecture places SIRT6 in the context of longevity, epigenetic maintenance and experimental rejuvenation strategies.
What the conference presentation discussed
The lecture discusses cross-species SIRT6 activity, rare centenarian-associated SIRT6 variants, experimental work involving SIRT6 in cells and mice, and fucoidan as a potential SIRT6 activator. It also discusses ongoing translational work involving older adults in Singapore.
Those points do not all sit at the same evidence level. Some build on published preclinical research, while others are conference-stage or ongoing work and should not be treated as completed clinical evidence.
What this means for DoNotAge SIRT6Activator
The conference material discusses fucoidan-based SIRT6 activation and references DoNotAge SIRT6Activator. That relationship is relevant, but it is not proof that the finished retail product improves lifespan or reverses biological ageing in humans.
A separate peer-reviewed 2026 protocol for the NUS PROMETHEUS study includes DoNotAge SIRT6Activator at 2.4 g/day as one component of a broader multimodal healthy-ageing intervention. DoNotAge supplied SIRT6Activator for that study; the protocol reports funding from the XPRIZE Foundation and the National University of Singapore.
Read the PROMETHEUS research update.
Sources
- Official DoNotAge Conference 2026 highlights
- DoNotAge Conference 2026 lecture video
- University of Rochester — Vera Gorbunova faculty profile
- Gorbunova & Seluanov Laboratory — research overview
- GeroScience — PROMETHEUS trial protocol
Linked entities and research
DoNotAge Conference 2026
DoNotAge Conference 2026 was held in London on September 26–27, 2026. The official highlights archive presents 12 2026 conversations spanning human trials, DNA repair, inflammation, muscle and exercise, replication and research funding, plus a 2025 conference recap.
2026 Conference Lecture — SIRT6, DNA Repair & Epigenetic Maintenance
The conference lecture discusses SIRT6 biology, DNA repair, chromatin maintenance, transposable elements, fucoidan-related SIRT6 activation and ongoing translational research.
PROMETHEUS Clinical Trial Protocol: Tailoring Healthy Ageing with Lifestyle and Nutraceuticals
The published protocol states that DoNotAge.org provided SIRT6Activator used in the study. The study is funded by the XPRIZE Foundation and National University of Singapore.
Vera Gorbunova
Speaker at DoNotAge Conference 2026.