Immortal jellyfish

Immortal Jellyfish?

A tiny jellyfish, shorter than its name, Turritopsis Nutricula, has managed to reverse the aging process.

Most jellyfish die after reproducing, but this “immortal jellyfish” reverts to its younger self and scientists believe it can repeat the cycle indefinitely.

Originally found in the Caribbean, immortal jellyfish are multiplying rapidly and swarming around the world. It’s great news for geneticists studying aging, but not so good from an ecological point of view.

This turritopsis nutricula immortal species of jellyfish is thought to be the only animal in the world that really can live for ever.

The immortal jellyfish is able to change from its mature adult stage to an immature polyp stage, its first stage of life, and back again. If as it seems, the immortal jellyfish can change from adult to newborn and back again it could in fact live forever. There does not appear to be any biological limit to its life span. The immortal jellyfish is the only known animal that appears to be able to live forever.

What is Immortal Jellyfish Secret?

The key to its immortality lies in a process called transdifferentiation, where one type of cell is transformed into another type of cell. Some animals, such as salamanders can regrow their limbs. The immortal jellyfish seems to be able to take this a step further and can repeatedly regenerate its whole body.

The implications of studying this jellyfish and being able to discover how it is actually able to reverse the natural aging process are enormous. As a result of this research could we too live forever?

If a jellyfish can live forever, why shouldn’t we? In the meantime perhaps we need a little helpstaying and  looking younger!

Regards,
Catherine

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