Immortal Jellyfish (Amazing)

I would like to share some info about the amazing Immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis nutricula). This is possibly one of the most remarkable animals that I have ever heard of I can only imagine what science will get from this creature, maybe one day we will discover the key to immortal life for mankind?.

Immortal Jellyfish Provides Clues For Regenerative Medicine

The search for the fountain of youth has been ongoing ever since man decided that dying wasn’t all that appealing. And now, it appears that this elusive holy grail has been found, albeit by a species that is not ours! So who is the lucky winner of the everlasting life sweepstakes? None other than the humble and dime-sized jellyfish known as Turritopsis nutricula. This creature has accomplished what no other biological being on our planet has ever been known to do: reverse it’s aging to become young again after reaching full maturity!

Immortal Jellfish

How the Jellyfish Becomes "Immortal" Turritopsis typically reproduces the old-fashioned way, by the meeting of free-floating sperm and eggs. And most of the time they die the old-fashioned way too. But when starvation, physical damage, or other crises arise, "instead of sure death, [Turritopsis] transforms all of its existing cells into a younger state," said study author Maria Pia Miglietta, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University. The jellyfish turns itself into a bloblike cyst, which then develops into a polyp colony, essentially the first stage in jellyfish life. The jellyfish's cells are often completely transformed in the process. Muscle cells can become nerve cells or even sperm or eggs. Through asexual reproduction, the resulting polyp colony can spawn hundreds of genetically identical jellyfish—near perfect copies of the original adult. This unique approach to hardship may be helping Turritopsis swarms spread throughout the world's oceans, she added.

en.wikipedia.org...

Biological immortality

Most jellyfish species have a relatively fixed life span, which varies by species from hours to many months (long-lived mature jellyfish spawn every day or night; the time is also fairly fixed and species-specific).[12] The medusa of Turritopsis nutricula is the only form known to have developed the ability to return to a polyp state, by a specific transformation process that requires the presence of certain cell types (tissue from both the jellyfish bell surface and the circulatory canal system). Careful laboratory experiments have revealed that all stages of the medusae, from newly released to fully mature individuals, can transform back into polyps.[3] The transforming medusa is characterized first by deterioration of the bell and tentacles, with subsequent growth of a perisarc sheet and stolons, and finally feeding polyps. Polyps further multiply by growing additional stolons, branches and then polyps, to form colonial hydroids. This ability to reverse the life cycle (in response to adverse conditions) is probably unique in the animal kingdom, and allows the jellyfish to bypass death, rendering Turritopsis nutricula potentially biologically immortal. Studies in the laboratory showed that 100% of specimens could revert to the polyp stage, but so far the process has not been observed in nature, in part because the process is quite rapid and field observations at the right moment in time are unlikely.[3] In spite of this remarkable ability, most Turritopsis medusae are likely to fall victim to the general hazards of life as plankton, including being eaten by other animals, or succumbing to disease.

Funny clip from QI, about the jellyfish.


Video of the Turritopsis nutricula

Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 - 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. So it is quite possible that some have existed since, so this is easily the longest living creature on earth, who knows what more wonders we will find hidden on our planet.

Finally....ET has been found. Been here all along

This is an incredible article. When visiting the TN Aquarium, the Jellies of the sea exhibit mesmerized me with their grace and beauty. Science is only beginning to explore this intriguing critter.

Good thread

This thread popped up last month.. or last yr.. lol

Here it is: www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by luciddream


Thanks but I think this deserves more of a look we are just scratching the surface on this animal.

Imagine the prospect of this animals natural process of immortality, could it hold the key in the development of future organic computers or even help develop and innovate the future of deep space travel and exploration by man or could we even use the Jellyfish in experimental space exploration of earth like organisms.

Imagine a organic electronics that heal or repair or enable man to live in deep space who knows what sort of defences creatures like these have to protect and adapt to new environments we could be looking at one of natures very own clues to man. I feel that nature on the smallest scales replicates and perfects a design on earth that may hold the key to the whole understanding of our universe, by observing animals like this we may learn many new skills just like our greatest minds have in the past natures natural blueprint has provided nearly all basis for innovation and our world has been shaped by our observation of mother nature

Cancer Cure?

Implications

While there are no current studies being conducted that look into the possibility of creating immortal cells in humans, some biologists, like Stefano Piraino of the University of Salento, are optimistic that this jellyfish might one day help rid the world of cancer and other deadly diseases. Their hope is rooted in the fact that, much like cancer cells, some of the cells present in Turritopsis dohrnii are able to selectively turn certain genes on or off and allow for the genetic programs that were present in earlier stages of the life cycle to be reactivated. If researchers can gain a better understanding of these jellyfish and unlock the secret behind what enables them to undergo such a radical transformation in cellular structure and function, not only would it help preserve the endangered ocean life that is now being threatened by invading jellyfish, but it might open the door to an entirely new class of medical treatments that could one day help eliminate some of humanity's most persistent ailments.

This animal is abundant and may hold the key to many cures, scientists are noticing there numbers increase and feel this will have negative consequences to our planets marine life and diversity, so the scientific community should study this with haste in my opinion not only for the obvious benifits it may hold but also as a matter of conservation of other marine life.


Steam Cell Research

the Obama administration announced that it would make 13 additional stem cell lines eligible for federal funding, funding that was once again made available after the administration lifted the ban on stem cell research instated by Obama’s predecessor George W. Bush. Stem cell research, and the therapies that will come from the groundwork being layed by today’s scientists, represents the most significant contribution to the biological sciences and medicine that we have ever seen. Whether we ethically pursue the use of embryonic stem cells, or investigate ways to transdifferentiate adult stem cells into a pluripotent form, therapies that are born of such research will forever change what it means to be human. From simple healing of wounds to treatment of cancers, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and deeply genetic disorders and diseases, stem cell research has the potential to heal the sick, and perhaps more profoundly, help healthy adults pursue active, healthy, vibrant life well into old age, and if our jellyfish is any example, perhaps indefinitely.

reply to post by GreatScot
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reply to post by stealthmonkey


I Think as it states in one of the links, That this animal can even if faced with disease or starvation complete the process and revert to younger healthy cells taking the creature back to its youth.

They can still die if eaten or injured badly and kinda like vampires they have weakness but somehow evolved this amazing trait in order to survive, they do this after sex as far as I know but im still learning about them also they reproduce near clones of themselves.

NO CAPS please Im guilty of it also sometimes but many here will complain, thanks for your comment and enjoy ATS its full of great things, Ive found many amazing topics here in my short time and love this type of info hope you enjoy it too.