A new analysis of the tardigrade genome reveals that the microscopic creatures possess genetic adaptations shared with no other creatures on Earth.
Previous attempts to read the tardigrade’s genetic material have suffered from contamination issues that muddied the results. In the new study, researchers from Japan led by Takuma Hashimoto of the University of Tokyo say that they have taken every effort to avoid the mistakes of previous studies and have found several unique evolutionary tricks that allow tardigrades to survive conditions of extreme drought and high levels of radiation. What’s more, some of these adaptations were shown to work in human cells as well.
Often called “water bears” for their cute and cuddly appearance under the microscope, tardigrades are famed for their herculean survival skills. They have been found in Antarctica, in hot springs, on mountaintops in the Himalayas, and have even survived the cold vacuum of outer space. ...
