The Amazing Tardigrades: Surviving Extreme Environments
Summary
In this article, we discuss how tardigrades, also known as water bears, are able to survive in extreme environments such as deep sea and space. Scientists have conducted experiments to understand how tardigrades adapt to these conditions, including studying their genetic changes and unique proteins. The potential real-world applications of tardigrade proteins include stabilizing the Pfizer COVID vaccine and creating powdered blood that can be reconstituted with liquid, eliminating the need for refrigeration during transport and storage.
Table of Contents
- Tardigrades: Survivors of Extreme Environments
- Investigating Tardigrade Adaptation
- Tardigrade Proteins: Real-World Applications
- Conclusion
Tardigrades: Survivors of Extreme Environments
Tardigrades are microscopic animals that can survive in extreme environments, such as Antarctica and volcanic vents in the ocean. They have been tested by scientists by exposing them to various harsh conditions, including the vacuum of space and extreme cold. However, it is still unclear how tardigrades are able to survive in these conditions.
Investigating Tardigrade Adaptation
To investigate how tardigrades survive in extreme environments, scientists have sent them to the International Space Station and into the ocean. One experiment involved taking tardigrades down to a depth of 30 feet in a saltwater lagoon to study the effects of pressure on them. The scientists observed that the tardigrades became sluggish and compressed due to the added stress of the pressure.
Dr. Boothby and Dr. Hines are conducting experiments to understand how tardigrades adapt to extreme conditions. To determine which genes are responding to these conditions, they use a chemical preservative on the tardigrades which stabilizes RNA molecules. By analyzing the RNA, they can identify which genes are active. The experiments involve collecting samples of tardigrades at different time intervals and preserving them for analysis. The data from these experiments will take several months to analyze, but previous experiments have shown that tardigrades have unique genes that produce proteins which help them survive in a state of suspended animation even when 99% of the water in their bodies dries up.
Tardigrade Proteins: Real-World Applications
The unique proteins produced by tardigrades have potential real-world applications. One such application is stabilizing the Pfizer COVID vaccine, allowing it to be stored at room temperature instead of negative 80 degrees. The same concept is being applied to human blood, with the goal of creating powdered blood that can be reconstituted with liquid as needed, eliminating the need for refrigeration during transport and storage. Promising results have been seen with certain blood cell types, and if successful, this could have a significant impact on healthcare.
Conclusion
Tardigrades continue to inspire new avenues of research and potential benefits to society. Their ability to adapt to extreme conditions and unique proteins have the potential to revolutionize healthcare and other industries. As scientists continue to study tardigrades, we may uncover even more secrets to their remarkable survival capabilities.
