Turritopsis Dohnii: The Immortal Jellyfish

The Crystalline Cyst of Turritopsis dohrnii

The jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii is small enough to fit in a pea, but its tiny body contains an extraordinary secret. This jellyfish has the ability to revert into a polyp when injured, sick, or old. Unlike most creatures, this jellyfish starts its life over. The jellyfish species skips death and regenerates rather than dying at the end of its adult life.

The Biology of a Unique Rebirth

This jellyfish has a unique biological story. Only a few small organisms start their life over and with the ability to do so indefinitely. The jellyfish species goes through a unique cycle. First, the jellyfish's tentacles shrink back, and the bell — their primary body structure — collapses into a tiny cyst. This cyst, called a polyp, a tiny blob, sits and grows into a colony. The colony buds off new jellyfish, each starting its own life. Scientists call this biological immortality. The transformation takes place over a day and a half. This species is a puzzle to marine biologists, who see it as a novel answer to aging.

Biological Immortality — Getting Old vs Getting New

Biological immortality is a term for organisms that don't age biologically. It's like a tape that can be rewound. The jellyfish resets to polyp form, it doesn't get old; it recreates. Its cycle is unique among Earth's organisms. Turritopsis dohrnii was first discovered in 1988. A student noticed it while on holiday, kicking off a cascade of observations since. A lab in Japan has reset an individual jellyfish at least 10 times, proving that this jellyfish never has to grow old.

The Cycle of Living

The jellyfish displays its process in various stages. From the beginning, it has three key parts: the polyp, the ephyra, and the medusa. It starts as a polyp, which can grow in colonies. When the polyp matures, it turns into a tiny jellyfish, which in turn grows a set of rings. As the jellyfish grows, it detaches from the colony. Each ephra eventually develops into a medusa, or a larger jellyfish. This jellyfish, upon getting hurt, sick, or old, does not die easily. It shrinks into a cyst and rejuvenates again: starting from the medusa, going back to a polyp. The process repeats indefinitely. This ability lies in its bell, a structure that can revert.

The Future of Jellyfish

The idea of jellyfish being a model for human longevity and aging is alluring. The average lifespan of the jellyfish is around 20 years, but some medusae haven't aged biologically, making the idea of living forever more than a dream. Researchers are exploring the mechanism behind this biological immortality. They have also identified enzymes present in the jellyfish that are different from human enzymes. Some biological markers are present in the jellyfish but not in biological material. The jellyfish gives hope for treating degenerative diseases in humans. Biological immortality has inspired researchers to explore if it can be replicated in other organisms.

Where to See the Immortal Jellyfish

Globally, there are aquariums that house and display jellyfish. The jellyfish displays on screen are places where people can learn and explore. For those who can't visit, a helpful alternative is watching documentaries and videos on marine life. For the actively curious, some local aquariums offer courses on marine biology and jellyfish care.

• Where to See Turritopsis dohrnii's: Aquariums display them in tanks, often keeping the jellyfish in petri dishes for study. Some aquariums have larger tanks, especially in special exhibitions.
• Connect with Deep Planet: The full video is available on YouTube, as the only way to see the jellyfish in all its glory is on video.
• More Platforms: Platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and TikTok have underwater videos that showcase the jellyfish displays.

The Quiet Immortal Species

The quiet immortality of the jellyfish is a marvel of nature. The organisms suggests a new path in biological research. As researchers continue to study the jellyfish, they hope to find what makes Turritopsis dohrnii unique.