The Immortal Jellyfish Can Reset Its Age and Live Forever

In the animal kingdom, death is almost universal—except for one tiny creature measuring barely 4.5 millimeters across: Turritopsis dohrnii, popularly known as the immortal jellyfish.

The Secret to Eternal Youth

When this jellyfish experiences physical damage, environmental stress, or old age, it doesn't die. Instead, it undergoes a rare cellular phenomenon called transdifferentiation. During this process, its adult cells transform back into specialized cells of its polyp stage—essentially reverting from adulthood back into infancy!

The jellyfish then attaches to the ocean floor and grows into a new polyp colony, giving birth to dozens of genetically identical adult jellyfish. Theoretically, this cycle can repeat indefinitely!