The world's only immortal animal

[TheGimp]

The turritopsis nutricula species of jellyfish may be the only animal in the world to have truly discovered the fountain of youth.

Since it is capable of cycling from a mature adult stage to an immature polyp stage and back again, there may be no natural limit to its life span. Scientists say the hydrozoan jellyfish is the only known animal that can repeatedly turn back the hands of time and revert to its polyp state (its first stage of life).

The key lies in a process called transdifferentiation, where one type of cell is transformed into another type of cell. Some animals can undergo limited transdifferentiation and regenerate organs, such as salamanders, which can regrow limbs. Turritopsi nutricula, on the other hand, can regenerate its entire body over and over again. Researchers are studying the jellyfish to discover how it is able to reverse its aging process.

Because they are able to bypass death, the number of individuals is spiking. They're now found in oceans around the globe rather than just in their native Caribbean waters. "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion," says Dr. Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute.

[asphyxian_doll]

That is pretty awesome.

I love how Mother Nature is stranger than fiction.

Edited March 19, 2010 by asphyxian_doll

[DJ Nocker]

Thats very interesting...I wonder if that has anything to do with the overpopulation of jellies in japan, ruining the fish market...

[Epic_Fail_Guy]

perhaps this could be somewhat of an alternative to stem cell research that wouldn't get such protests? It sounds similar in principal to stem cells. Who knows what knowledge this could unlock. And heck, from the sound of things, we have an abundance of these guys to check out!

[StormKnight (1)]

For cell propagation, perhaps. This critter is able to keep itself immortal due to a cellular process, and keep tissues immortal.

There are immortal cells, but they are usually not functional in a organism (cancer.)

While the idea of making normal cells immortal would help research, (as most stable immortal cell cultures are derived from cancer cell lines, which have various other biochemical processes destroyed in the process,) as for alternative for stem cells, whose switches are basically in a default off position, who knows?

Differentiation (the stem cell becoming a cell of a bone, liver, etc.,) versus immortality (a cell that can remain functional forever,) are two different processes in the cell itself, at least by current biochemical research. The jelly here, is made up of differentiated cells (by definition of a multicellular organism,) whose cells are immortal. Very interesting.

On a side note, I am glad these jellyfish aren't armed with a sword-like appendage, and have heads. Unshielded electricity and underwater Quickening storms might be poor form. Though the idea of "There can be only one (jellyfish!)" would help the Japanese fishing industry.

[Epic_Fail_Guy]

hm well allow me to clear up why i say these two different cells are similar by principal

Stem cells, as you have said, do in fact take on the properties of whatever cells they are around, so if there's a damaged organ, they can be used to regenerate that organ by changing to cells for that organ.

These immortal cells, much like in cancer, can be used for the same goal, just in a totally different way. Instead of dumping the cellular building blocks on an older or damaged organ, maybe we can unlock a way to revert the older and damaged area "go back in time" so to say. The methods are completely different true, but the end result is the same, fixing my alcohol damaged liver!

[StormKnight (1)]

hm well allow me to clear up why i say these two different cells are similar by principal

Stem cells, as you have said, do in fact take on the properties of whatever cells they are around, so if there's a damaged organ, they can be used to regenerate that organ by changing to cells for that organ.

These immortal cells, much like in cancer, can be used for the same goal, just in a totally different way. Instead of dumping the cellular building blocks on an older or damaged organ, maybe we can unlock a way to revert the older and damaged area "go back in time" so to say. The methods are completely different true, but the end result is the same, fixing my alcohol damaged liver!

I would concur with attacking the problem from a couple of angles. Though instead of a burnt out liver, I would probably want to keep my knees going without metal replacement for at least another 5 or 6 decades. lol

[Epic_Fail_Guy]

I would concur with attacking the problem from a couple of angles. Though instead of a burnt out liver, I would probably want to keep my knees going without metal replacement for at least another 5 or 6 decades. lol

this is why i'm dropping my scientific research of stem cells and going all for jellyfish! Instead of having to spend a a ton of cash on just getting my liver fixed once.. I can use these jelly fish to let my liver fix it's self! as well as your knees! I must test some things in my laboratory, brb!

[DJ Nocker]

For cell propagation, perhaps. This critter is able to keep itself immortal due to a cellular process, and keep tissues immortal.

There are immortal cells, but they are usually not functional in a organism (cancer.)

While the idea of making normal cells immortal would help research, (as most stable immortal cell cultures are derived from cancer cell lines, which have various other biochemical processes destroyed in the process,) as for alternative for stem cells, whose switches are basically in a default off position, who knows?

Differentiation (the stem cell becoming a cell of a bone, liver, etc.,) versus immortality (a cell that can remain functional forever,) are two different processes in the cell itself, at least by current biochemical research. The jelly here, is made up of differentiated cells (by definition of a multicellular organism,) whose cells are immortal. Very interesting.

On a side note, I am glad these jellyfish aren't armed with a sword-like appendage, and have heads. Unshielded electricity and underwater Quickening storms might be poor form. Though the idea of "There can be only one (jellyfish!)" would help the Japanese fishing industry.

Jellyfish are destroying it currently...it sucks. they are pulling jellfish in there nets and they kill off entire catches of fish. they caught a jelly not more than a month ago bigger than a full size refrigerator, it was cool looking.

[StormKnight (1)]

Mind the nematocysts. Those things can be painful, especially on those internal organ capsules.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

Interesting stuff. I've been focusing my reading on Anthropology / Biology / Evolution / Longevity research lately (a shift, although a natural outgrowth of my lifelong focus on Astronomy / Cosmology.) and I'm supprized with all the talk about anti-aging science I've never heard these guys referenced before.

I looked it up and these creatures seem to have been named in 1857 (some of the articles seem to imply they are "newly discovered"). Of the articles I've read they do indeed offer this as a new focus of anti-aging research.

There is actually an eintire genus of similar creatures called Hyrda or specifically in these guys case... Hydrazoa, which have a key characteristic of either not undergoing, or very slowly undergoing "Senescence" that is, biological aging. (as opposed to just aging chronologically) Which can't really be helped, for example I'm "35 years old" regardless of the fact that i may be 20 or 200 from a cellular standpoint. So, they don't age, age almost imperceptibly, or revert to a newborn and then age, and then back again... Depending on which ones we are talking about.

This stuff sounds almost beyond reality at first , no? Gotta love it!

In terms as an alternative to stem cell research, primarily to avoid the religious or ethical issues that can raise... sure why not. Although I've heard of a promising new way to progress with one of the most promising lines of research in human history (stem cells) with the very respectful approach of to them that would retard it, developed as a system called "IIM" or "Ignore Ignorant Morons." I'm dubious as to the nomenclature and it is not a system endorsed by DGN, I hear the system is gaining ground.

[Epic_Fail_Guy]

Hey guys! I'm going to the lab to get to the bottom of all this jellyfish science! LETS GO!!!!

Edited March 21, 2010 by Epic_Fail_Guy

[Soulrev]

^^^

[TheGimp]

HA HA