KEY GENE FOR IMMORTALITY DISCOVERED IN IMMORTAL JELLYFISH
Scientists have recognised more than 2,000 species of jellyfish, and hundreds more are thought to be undiscovered. These extraordinarily unusual creatures are diverse in size, form, and color. It is especially amazing how small Turritopsis dohrnii is. Although smaller than a human fingernail, it is referred to as the immortal jellyfish because of its endless life cycle. According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have discovered a gene in jelly that may provide the secret to eternal life.
A jellyfish starts off as an egg, develops into a larva, lodges on a rock, and matures into polyps resembling fingers. Eventually, these polyps separate to form medusa, which are jellyfish. The eternal jellyfish is not like the others. It has the ability to change back into a polyp rather than die. It later flowers again as a jellyfish. It can go on like this forever. Why can't the eternal jellyfish recycle itself?
The jelly has twice as many genes for protection and repair as other closely related jellies, according to new research. According to the authors of the article, "the hydrozoan Turritopsis dohrnii is the only species able to renew repeatedly following sexual reproduction, becoming biologically immortal," even though aging affects most living things. "Gene variations and expansions linked to telomere maintenance, DNA repair, replication, redox environment, stem cell population, and intercellular communication have been found"
