The secret to the ability of tardigrade species to live almost forever on earth: resistance to radiation

Have you ever heard of the species tardigrade or tardigrade? This is a very small creature that is said to be the strongest in the world because it can withstand extreme cold and hot weather. This resilience makes tardigrades a species that can live almost forever. So why are tardigrades so strong?

Tardigrades, or what are often called water bears, are small microorganisms that are about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters long. Their very small size makes tardigrades difficult to see without the aid of a microscope.

Although it is very small, this animal has been the subject of several studies. Scientists are curious because this small water bear can live in different extreme conditions.

To live hundreds of millions of years ago and go through the time of the great reward

It is estimated that tardigrades first appeared around 541 million years ago and are still alive today. This amazing survival inspired scientists to investigate more deeply how these “water bears” have survived over time.

“The ability of tardigrades to survive in the most extreme conditions continues to redefine our concept of the limits of animal life on Earth,” said researcher Lei Li, quoted from Science Alert.

In another study, researchers at the University of Wisconsin Madison, United States, explained that tardigrades were able to survive the five catastrophes that occurred on planet Earth. Researchers estimate that this creature could survive even if humanity becomes extinct.

In fact, it is also said that tardigrades will be able to survive cosmic disasters such as asteroids hitting planet Earth, supernova explosions, and even gamma-ray bursts.

New species of Tardigrades may be resistant to radiation

In a study published in the Science Journal Vol. 386, it was not. 6720, October 25 2024, Lei Li and friends revealed that a new species of tardigrade has the ability to survive radiation.

About 1,500 tardigrade species are currently known to have been identified, including newly named species Hypsibius Henanensis which was discovered six years ago.

Li and his team researched it Hypsibius Henanensis to test its resistance to radiation and understand how this species can survive.

Previous research has shown that some tardigrade species are able to survive exposure to radiation on Earth. In this case, Li and his team wanted to see if the new species had a similar resistance.

“Studies on several species of tardigrades have documented that they are the most radiation-resistant animals on Earth,” Li explained.

In tests using radiation bursts, the researchers found that this new species was resistant to gamma radiation of 3,000 to 5,000 grays (Gy), equivalent to 1,000 times the lethal dose for humans.

Why can Tardigrades resist radiation?

According to Li, there are three reasons why this species can survive radiation. The first is the DODA1 gene which plays a role in the production of betalain pigment, a color that helps neutralize dangerous molecules from radiation.

Secondly, DNA in this species is repaired faster than normal due to the presence of TRID1 protein, and finally, increased production of BCS1 and NDUFB8 proteins also helps to provide energy supply to tardigrades.

Therefore, this research provides a deeper understanding of the survival mechanisms of tardigrades. It is hoped that these findings will be adapted by humans to deal with real environmental changes due to radiation exposure.

“Although some of these tricks are already known, such as high-speed DNA repair, analysis of it H. henanensis gives us more information about what really happened, and how the tardigrades managed to progress,” said Li.

“Does the radiation tolerance of other tardigrade species occur through conserved or unique mechanisms in the Hypsibius species? This requires further investigation,” he concluded.

(doing/doing)