Get the latest tech news
New species of tardigrade reveals secrets of radiation-resisting powers
Knowing the genes responsible for water bears’ radiation tolerance could lead to diverse applications, from cancer treatment to space exploration.
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, have long fascinated scientists with their ability to withstand extreme conditions, including radiation at levels nearly 1,000 times higher than the lethal dose for humans. “This discovery may help improve the stress tolerance of human cells, benefiting patients undergoing radiation therapy,” says study co-author Lingqiang Zhang, a molecular and cellular biologist at the Beijing Institute of Lifeomics. When the researchers exposed H. henanensis to radiation doses of 200 and 2,000 grays — far beyond what would be survivable for humans — they found that 2,801 genes involved in DNA repair, cell division and immune responses became active.
Or read this on Hacker News
