Throughout history people have been keen to find the answer to immortality. It's now commonly accepted that eternal life is not possible. Yet, somewhere deep in the ocean, a tiny fingernail-sized creature nicknamed the “immortal jellyfish” might be able to cast new light on the human aging process.

A new study published in August 2022 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows the results from a team of researchers who have mapped the jellyfish’s genetic code to find the secret to its immortality. They found that the immortal jellyfish has twice more copies of genes associated with DNA repair and protection than a regular jellyfish. They can produce greater amounts of protective and restorative proteins.

Why is the "immortal jellyfish" immortal? Will humans be able to regenerate like jellyfish? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

First broadcast: 20/10/2022

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