Researchers in Japan, through many trial and error attempts, managed to isolate and study the genome for tardigrades. Previous attempts by other scientists were met with gloom due to contamination. Studying the extremophile of extremophiles has led to the discovery that tardigrades have up to 18% of their DNA origins from HGT, or horizontal gene transfer. HGT is when DNA is transferred from one organism to another, which is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance.
The clear purpose of studying the tardigrade genome is to find out what genes codes for proteins that help them survive such harsh conditions, as well as help repair/prevent damage to DNA during times of extreme stress. This decoding of the tardigrade genome will help scientists, in the future, insert these genetic adaptations into human cells, so that superheroes can be closer to science-fact.
I find it extremely impressive that researchers have even been able to isolate and study the genome of tardigrades. I am very curious to see what scientists may actually be able to make of the genes coded for proteins that enable tardigrades to live in such extreme conditions, and wonder as well if any of these adaptable traits could be transferred to human cells.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to think that something in nature right now could eventually be used to make "superheroes." Science has already come such a long way in a short period of time so anything could happen in the future.
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