admin The idea of temporarily stopping the process of aging and defying death to wake up in a future world has been a popular theme in science-fiction movies and literature. However, this has always been considered a fictional concept in the real world. Recently, this idea was challenged by an amazing discovery involving two worms in a petri dish that defied our traditional understanding of aging.
A group of scientists from four Russian institutions and Princeton University in the United States analyzed ancient worms known as nematodes. These worms were discovered in Arctic permafrost deposits and had been frozen for an incredible 42,000 years. Surprisingly, two different species of these worms, found in separate regions of Siberia, showed signs of life after being thawed out from their icy encasement. The report on this discovery was made by the Siberian Times.
The remarkable findings, published in the May 2018 edition of the journal Doklady Biological Sciences, provide the initial evidence of multicellular organisms reviving from a prolonged hibernation within the Arctic permafrost. These organisms had remained in a state of suspended animation since the Pleistocene era, defying the fundamental rules of life and reawakening to the world after an extended deep freeze.
Nematodes, also known as roundworms, may be small with an average length of about 1 millimeter, but their remarkable attributes set them apart. These intriguing creatures exhibit a diverse range of capabilities that captivate scientists and enthusiasts alike. For instance, some nematodes have been discovered thriving an astonishing 1.3 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, surpassing any other multicellular organisms in terms of depth. Another fascinating example is found on an island in the Indian Ocean, where certain worms possess the ability to develop one of five distinct mouths based on the available food sources. Moreover, there are nematodes specially adapted to flourish within the intestines of slugs, traversing the slimy highways formed by slug excrement. These extraordinary adaptations highlight the versatility and tenacity of nematodes, making them a subject of intrigue and exploration in the scientific community.
In a comprehensive research endeavor, scientists meticulously examined 300 Arctic permafrost samples, unearthing a remarkable discovery within two of these deposits. These particular deposits harbored a multitude of remarkably well-preserved nematodes, offering valuable insights into the past. The first sample was meticulously collected from a prehistoric squirrel burrow located in the vicinity of the Alazeya River, nestled in the northeastern reaches of Yakutia, Russia. Estimated to be approximately 32,000 years old, these deposits provided a window into the distant past. The second permafrost sample originated from the Kolyma River, situated in the northeastern expanse of Siberia, and boasted an age of around 42,000 years. Within these deposits, researchers encountered two distinct nematode species: Panagrolaimus detritophagus and Plectus parvus, both representing intriguing facets of ancient biodiversity.
The nematodes underwent a unique process to revive them after being extracted from permafrost. Placed in petri dishes, they were slowly thawed and then transferred to cultures with agar and nourishment, maintaining a temperature of 68ºF (20ºC). Patiently, the researchers observed the gradual return of life as the nematodes exhibited movement and began to feed. This groundbreaking study presents the first-ever evidence of the remarkable phenomenon known as “natural cryopreservation” in multicellular animals.
While the reawakening of the nematodes garnered significant attention, they were not the sole organisms to emerge from their icy slumber after an extended period. A separate team of scientists had previously discovered a colossal virus that revived after being frozen for an astonishing 30,000 years in the Siberian permafrost. The implications of this discovery may be chilling, but it is important to note that only amoebas are vulnerable to the ancient virus, offering some reassurance amidst the eerie revelation.
Regrettably, engaging in a conversation with worms that have existed for 40,000 years is an impossible feat. However, this remarkable discovery presents an opportunity to unveil the intricate mechanisms employed by these ancient nematodes to endure prolonged periods of freezing. Understanding the functioning of these adaptations could yield significant implications across various scientific domains, including cryomedicine, cryobiology, and astrobiology, as emphasized by the researchers.
