A certain species of jellyfish has double copies of all genes that can prevent aging. Scientists from the University of Oviedo (Spain) believe this could be the key to combating human aging.
The jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii (T. dohrnii) has a unique ability to revert to its juvenile state and become an adult again throughout its life. Unlike other jellyfish species, it has twice as many genomes associated with DNA copying and repair. This jellyfish activates its superpower to evade predators.
Thus, it can return to a newborn state in the form of a cyst, then form into a polyp attached to the seabed. When the threat disappears, the jellyfish returns to maturity.
Researchers aim to better understand the secrets and limits of the remarkable cellular plasticity that allows this immortal organism to survive indefinitely. The ability of T. dohrnii has been known to scientists for over 15 years and is a prime candidate for studying the human aging process.
Like other jellyfish species, T. dohrnii undergoes a two-part life cycle, residing on the seabed in asexual phase, where its main task is survival in conditions of food scarcity. Under favorable conditions, the jellyfish reproduces sexually. Although many species of these marine inhabitants have the ability to reverse aging and return to the larval stage, most lose this ability after reaching sexual maturity.
As reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, T. dohrnii is the only species that consistently retains its high rejuvenation potential (up to 100%), achieving biological immortality. Biologists have proven this by analyzing and comparing nearly 1000 jellyfish genes associated with aging and DNA repair.
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