Deep in the Siberian permafrost, a tiny Pleistocene inhabitant has awakened after a thousand-year sleep. It is a female nematode, a microscopic worm that has survived for 46,000 years. Once brought back to life in the laboratory, the worm began to reproduce, without needing a mate, through a process called parthenogenesis. The Washington Post reports it.
How is it possible that an organism remained dormant for so long and then came back to life? The key is cryptobiosis, a state of “dormancy” in which metabolic processes come to a complete halt. In this state, time seems to almost stand still, allowing the worm to survive extreme conditions that would normally be fatal.
The discovery of this prehistoric worm is a window into the past. Its DNA can provide us with valuable information about evolution and life on Earth thousands of years ago. Furthermore, its ability to survive in extreme conditions could have important implications for medical research and technology.
A detailed study was published in July in the scientific journal PLOS Genetics. After sequencing its genome, scientists discovered that it belongs to a never-before-described species, called Panagrolaimus kolymaensis.
As reported by the University of Hawaii at Manoapreviously nematodes of the species Plectus murrayi and Tylenchus polyhypnus had been brought back to life after several years, but this new species broke all records in terms of the duration of cryptobiosis.
The discovery of this prehistoric worm provides us with valuable information about evolution and life on Earth thousands of years ago. Furthermore, its ability to survive in extreme conditions could have important implications for medical research and technology.