Immortality a possibility? This jellyfish could have the answer

Everyone has dreamed of immortality and eternal youth. While humans are still far from having found the fountain of youth, one type of jellyfish has managed to avoid dying of old age, as reported by Le Parisien on Saturday 10 September 2022. The aptly named immortal jellyfish, or its scientific name Turritopsis dohrnii, which has been multiplying around the world for years, has managed to return to its youthful form, called a polyp, by attaching itself to the walls.

DNA-protecting genes

No, we are not talking about the stinging, dangerous jellyfish. A team of Spanish researchers, led by biologist Maria Pascual-Torner from the University of Oviedo, has set out to study an immortal jellyfish. In an article published at the end of August 2022 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the researchers explained that they had compared the immortal jellyfish with a related English species called the crimson jellyfish.

They found that the Turritopsis dohrnii jellyfish had twice as many copies of genes that promote DNA repair and protection. Certain mutations also allow it to slow down cell division and cell ageing. The scientists showed that when the jellyfish is weakened by a change in environment or an injury, it becomes a polyp again, and its cells become young again. They also discovered that the crimson jellyfish has these genes, but cannot rejuvenate as often.

Immortality for humans?

Studies are still underway to try to understand how the special functioning of this jellyfish could help human medicine. According to the researchers, the genes identified could be useful in providing information about age-related diseases in humans, such as cancers or neurodegeneration.

There is no word yet on whether the secret of eternal youth has been unlocked, but the discoveries made thanks to this jellyfish could help to treat many diseases. A similar study was carried out on an immortal worm, which could fight bacteria.

This article was translated from Gentside FR.

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