Immortality

Main article: Aging

2022: Research on the immortal jellyfish

In 2022, scientists from the University of Oviedo in Spain discovered some keys to slowing down and even stopping the aging process thanks to the study of immortal jellyfish. A team of researchers has isolated the genome of the immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii), which allows this incredible marine animal to extend its life indefinitely.

This tiny jellyfish, only a few centimeters in size, has the ability to completely change the direction of its life cycle to an earlier asexual stage called a polyp, effectively achieving immortality.

The vast majority DNA of living things develop in a characteristic aging process that essentially culminates in death, but researchers studying this jellyfish and its deadly sister Turritopsis rubra have discovered genes responsible for replication and restoration, telomere maintenance and stem renewal of the cell population, all of which are related to longevity aging and humans.

A comprehensive study has identified several processes that allow jellyfish cells to regenerate into completely new cells, forming a completely new organism.

Maria Pascual-Thorner of the University of Oviedo points out: "Instead of having one key to rejuvenation and immortality, the various mechanisms found in our work will act synergistically in general, organizing the process to ensure the immortal jellyfish is successfully rejuvenated."

Carlos Lopez-Otin, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Asturias University, explained that this work is not aimed at finding strategies to achieve the dream of human immortality. Now scientists are trying to understand the clues and limits of amazing cellular plasticity, which allows some organisms to "travel through time."

With this knowledge, scientists hope to be able to cope with some chronic diseases and diseases associated with aging.