Tardigrades Exhibit Unprecedented DNA Repair Response to Radiation
Recent studies reveal tardigrades' unique ability to rapidly repair radiation-induced DNA damage, challenging previous understanding of their resilience.
- Researchers discover that tardigrades can survive intense radiation by rapidly upregulating DNA repair genes.
- Tardigrade species Hypsibius exemplaris shows significant DNA repair within 24 hours of radiation exposure.
- Studies suggest tardigrades' radiation response could lead to new protective strategies for other organisms.
- The discovery includes a potential new protein, TRD1, that may protect DNA from radiation damage.
- Scientific findings underscore tardigrades' status as one of the most resilient organisms on Earth.