How to Live Forever: Jellyfish Edition
Esther Jacobs ??
Conservation Storyteller ~ Advocate for Nature ~ Aquaphile ~ A Scot in South Africa ????????
The Curious Case of the Immortal Jellyfish
I’ve spent 14 years working in the marine world, yet every so often, I stumble across a creature so fascinating that it completely blows my mind. And in this case, it pushed me to move away from my conservation comfort zone and write about a marine species that held me captivated.
Imagine this: You suffer a severe injury, or your life is on the brink, and instead of perishing, you simply reset and revert to an earlier stage of life. Sounds like something out of science fiction, right? Well, it turns out, there’s a jellyfish that can do exactly that.
Meet Turritopsis dohrnii, the 'Immortal' Jellyfish
Although scientists first observed this incredible species in the 1990s, I only learned about it while watching an episode of The Blacklist, of all things. My intrigue got the better of me and this is what I found out.
This tiny jellyfish, measuring less than half a centimetre, begins life as a larva, eventually growing into a colony of polyps. The polyps then spawn into free-swimming jellyfish that look like typical jellyfish. All of this follows the typical life cycle of most jellyfish species. But here’s where things get extraordinary…
Turritopsis dohrnii possesses a unique ability called transdifferentiation. This is a process that allows it to reverse its life cycle. When faced with starvation, injury, or environmental stress, the adult medusa stage can revert to its juvenile polyp form and start its life over again. Completely resetting itself.
But, Can It Really Live Forever?
Scientists hesitate to call this jellyfish truly immortal, as they haven’t yet proven that it can continue this process indefinitely in the wild. However, Japanese scientist, Shin Kubota, found Turritopsis dohrnii in Japan and reared them in his laboratory. He observed them in an almost eternal loop of back-and-forth transdifferentiations.
Recent studies have provided deeper insights into how it achieves this biological reset. A 2022 genome sequencing study identified genetic adaptations that enhance DNA repair and cellular regeneration... mechanisms that could explain how it reverses ageing. A 2024 study further explores the role of transdifferentiation in regenerative medicine, highlighting how the jellyfish reactivates genetic programmes used in earlier life stages.
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World Invasion: Battle Los Jellyfish
While its biological abilities are remarkable, Turritopsis dohrnii is also an increasingly aggressive invader. Originally found in the warm waters of the Caribbean and Mediterranean, this jellyfish has been discovered in much colder regions, likely due to its ability to hitch a ride on ships via ballast water or by attaching to hulls. Its presence has been noted in the journal Biological Invasions, raising questions about its potential ecological impact.
Even more curious? A study of specimens collected from across the globe found identical genes, suggesting that these jellyfish may be cloning themselves as they spread. What impact this invasion will have on marine ecosystems is still being studied.
Could This Jellyfish Provide The Cure For Cancer?
Beyond its ecological impact, Turritopsis dohrnii might hold the key to revolutionary medical advancements. Scientists are studying its genetic makeup to understand how it reactivates early-life programmes. These insights could potentially be applied to human medicine, including cancer research.
The ability to revert to an earlier stage of development could provide crucial information on cellular reprogramming, stem cell therapies, and disease resistance.
As someone whose family has been deeply affected by cancer, this discovery struck a personal chord. The idea that this tiny, resilient creature could help unlock new treatments for life-threatening diseases is nothing short of extraordinary.
Deep Secrets
Nature never ceases to amaze me, and Turritopsis dohrnii is a perfect example of how much we still have to learn from the ocean. Whether it’s reshaping our understanding of biology or offering hope for medical breakthroughs, this “immortal” jellyfish is a reminder that the deep sea holds secrets we’ve barely begun to expose.
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