Scientists Reveal Jellyfish That Can Reverse Aging and Potentially Live Forever

Turritopsis dohrnii, a minute thimble-shaped jellyfish, can cheat death by reverting to its juvenile polyp stage whenever it encounters hostile environments, according to associate professor Maria Pia Miglietta of Texas A&M University. This reversal, known as cellular transdifferentiation, involves the animal collapsing, forming a ball and, within 24-48 hours, budding a new polyp that carries the same genome. In controlled settings the jellyfish could theoretically survive forever, though natural predators may eventually curtail its longevity.

Only one of the eight recognized Turritopsis species possesses this capability, and it inhabits waters ranging from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic to coasts of Japan, Panama and Brazil. Readers of the original piece highlighted the creature’s striking appearance and its “reset button” life cycle, noting its relevance to human fascination with immortality. Biologist Lisa-ann Gershwin called the organism both exquisite and a vivid illustration of humanity’s deep-seated desire to avoid death.