Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the survival secrets of tardigrades, also known as water bears, which could have potential benefits for humans. These microscopic animals are known for their ability to survive in extreme environments, including outer space. Researchers have now identified the mechanism that activates the animals’ survival mode, known as the “tun state.” This discovery could lead to the development of materials that can withstand harsh conditions, such as deep space, and therapies that can disarm cancer cells.
Tardigrades are capable of entering a form of suspended animation called the “tun state” when faced with extreme cold or other harsh environmental conditions. During this state, their bodies produce unstable free radicals of oxygen and an unpaired electron, which can damage proteins and DNA if they accumulate. The researchers found that the survival mechanism is triggered when cysteines, amino acids that form proteins in the body, come into contact with these oxygen free radicals and become oxidized. This process signals the tardigrade to enter the protective mode of tun.
The findings of this study, published in the journal PLOS One, could have far-reaching implications. Lead study author Amanda L. Smythers, a postdoctoral research fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, suggests that this discovery could aid in the development of materials that can respond to harsh conditions like deep space. It could also help in the development of therapies that can disrupt the protective measures of cancer cells, making them easier to destroy.
The research team, which included scientists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Marshall University, began investigating this phenomenon after noticing a connection between cysteines and the tun process. Smythers describes it as a “eureka moment” when they realized that reactive oxygen species were involved in the survival mode of tardigrades. Reactive oxygen species were once considered problematic but are now understood to be important for our bodies to adapt to different stresses.
To test their hypothesis, Smythers and her team conducted an off-the-books experiment. They asked an undergraduate student to drop some peroxide, a common free radical, on a water bear. The results were astonishing as the water bear immediately entered the tun state, confirming their hypothesis.
The implications of this discovery are not limited to tardigrades alone. Dr. William R. Miller, a research assistant professor at Baker University, believes that these mechanisms could be used to control cancer. He commends Smythers for her ability to imagine how this research could be applied to other areas, such as cancer research. Miller emphasizes the need for more innovative thinking in scientific research.
Overall, this groundbreaking discovery sheds light on the remarkable survival abilities of tardigrades and opens up new possibilities for human applications. From creating materials that can withstand extreme conditions to developing therapies that can combat cancer, the potential benefits are immense. As scientists continue to unlock the secrets of these extraordinary creatures, we may find solutions to some of the most challenging problems we face as humans.
