Meet Turritopsis nutricula, the immortal jellyfish.

[joeg215]

This guy is awesome. 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 Jellyfish Provides Clues for Regenerative Medicine | Singularity Hub


The turriptosis nutricula's cell development method of transdifferentiation has inspired scientists to find a way to make stem cells use this process for renewing damaged or dead tissue in humans. Also, it is believed that the immortal jellyfish may hold the answer to cure cancer and create anti-aging medication.

 

[Mr. Mach-ete]

How can they tell how old the jelly fish is if it never ages?

 

[joeg215]

Its too hard to tell because of the cycle it goes through. Theoretically, there can be a thousand year-old jelly fish swimming around.

What is unique in this jellyfish is that when it becomes mature, and depending on some triggers, it will revert back to the polyp stage in the jellyfish life cycle(see chart). So it can technically live forever but things like predators and other factors will probably kill it.

 

[SonicDTR]

So does a jellyfish actually have enough awareness to gain knowledge or memories?

If not, then its no different than a tree being a 1000 years old...

 

[stangin99]

And the zombie gene has been found.

 

[joeg215]

So does a jellyfish actually have enough awareness to gain knowledge or memories?

If not, then its no different than a tree being a 1000 years old...

Trees can live for a long time but they will eventually die. This guy can theoretically live forever.

What's great about this fish is that it doesn't use stems but uses transdifferentiation instead. It skips the stem cell stage that most animals go through and may lead to research that doesn't require stem cells. Basically we'll be able to differentiate cells to other desired cells.

Oh yeah, it may also lead to immortality. haha

 

[James Snover]

What?!? I knew it! Stinking zombie jellyfish! Looks like I put up my 8-gauge semi-auto shotgun one damn day too early.

Jim Snover

And the zombie gene has been found.

 

[Stanley]

Wouldn't it have to die to become a zombie?

 

[James Snover]

Well, maybe. But look at it. It's just asking for a face full of buckshot! It's got a real attitude problem, you can see it in it's eye.

Wouldn't it have to die to become a zombie?

 

[thomas91169]

Jellyfish are ****ing crazy. Theyre one of the most alien species on this planet IMO.

 

[Sonic605hp]

We know so little about the species on this planet.