Comb Jelly's Unique Ability to Reverse Age Discovered

Scientists find that the comb jelly can revert to its larval stage under stress, challenging current understanding of animal development.

The comb jelly, Mnemiopsis leidyi, can age in reverse, reverting from adulthood to its larval stage when subjected to extreme stress or trauma.
This discovery was made accidentally by researchers at the University of Bergen when a larval comb jelly appeared in place of an adult in their lab.
The study, published in the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the potential for reverse development as a survival mechanism.
Researchers are exploring the molecular mechanisms behind this process, which may offer insights into life cycle plasticity and rejuvenation.
The findings prompt questions about how widespread this capability might be across other species, opening new avenues for developmental biology research.