Jellyfish helps scientists probe anti-aging possibilities

Stem cell scientists in NUI Galway’s Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) are studying the remarkable anti-aging powers of a small, native-Irish marine animal.

The Irish marine invertebrate, Hydractinia Echinata, has amazing powers of regeneration and is the focus of leading stem cell scientist Dr Uri Frank’s research with REMEDI.

The regenerative properties of this animal are not a new discovery. In fact, according to Dr Frank, there are a number of animals with similar properties.

The Hydractinia, which is a relative of jellyfish, sea anemones and corals, is perfect for understanding the role of stem cells in development, aging and disease, as the cells work in similar ways to those of humans.

The tiny marine animal has the power to regenerate any lost body part throughout its life, can clone itself, does not age biologically and, in theory, lives forever.

“There is no evidence that they age. The actual animal doesn’t die, but it is not immortal – it can be killed,” Dr Drank explained.

According to Dr Frank, Hydractinia has some stem cells which remain at an embryonic state throughout its life.

“Not only that, but it is small and translucent and so enables the observation of experimentally labelled stem cells in the living animal,” said Dr Frank.

“It sounds gruesome, but if Hydractinia has its head bitten off, it simply grows another one within a few days using its embryonic or ‘pluripotent’ stem cells.”

Dr Frank’s research focuses on the genetics or mechanisms that allow these animals to regenerate and renew any part of their bodies so that he and his team might uncover what humans are “lacking”.

F or more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.