Scientists Discover How Tardigrades Survive Nuclear Explosions

As reported by IFL Science, Thursday (18/4/2024), this microscopic animal is able to go through various extreme conditions that are deadly to other creatures, including exposure to high levels of radiation.

Scientists recently discovered a new way tardigrades fight radiation. The research, led by biologist Courtney Clark Hachtel of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, reveals tardigrades’ extraordinary mechanism for repairing DNA damage caused by gamma radiation.

Previously, it was known that tardigrades have a damage-suppressing protein called Dsup to protect their DNA. However, not all tardigrade species have Dsup, suggesting the existence of other mechanisms for survival.

In this study, the research team observed the tardigrade species Hypsibius exemplaris which was exposed to gamma radiation.

The results showed that these tardigrades significantly increased the production of DNA repair proteins after exposure to radiation.

This mechanism allows them to repair DNA damage quickly and efficiently, even after exposure to radiation doses that are lethal to humans.

This discovery provides new insight into the extreme resilience of tardigrades and their potential for applications in various fields.

Tardigrades’ extraordinary ability to repair DNA damage could inspire the development of new therapies to fight cancer and other diseases linked to DNA damage.

In addition, this study also opens up the exciting possibility of exploring tardigrades in extreme environments in space. Their resistance to radiation and other extreme conditions could make them ideal candidates for future space missions.

This research shows that tardigrades still have many mysteries waiting to be uncovered. By studying their extraordinary mechanisms for survival, scientists can pave the way for new discoveries in biology, medicine and even space exploration.

(wbs)