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A new study in Science Advances, led by Andreas Denner and senior author Ulrich Technau from the University of Vienna, has uncovered potential clues to the extraordinary longevity of the scarlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis). Belonging to the cnidarian family—which includes hydra and jellyfish, some of nature’s best regenerators—this species can resist ageing in ways that far outstrip human biology. Unlike us, who rely on limited regenerative powers such as wound healing or partial organ repair, cnidarians seem to maintain almost indefinite youth.
The research team focused on identifying multipotent stem cells—special cells capable of turning into different types of body cells—in the sea anemone for the first time. Using a technique called single-cell genomics, they tracked the genetic activity of individual cells and discovered populations that could transform into nerve cells and glandular cells. These findings suggest that the anemone’s remarkable regenerative ability may stem from these versatile stem cells, which continuously replenish tissues and prevent the decline seen in most animals.
The scientists also studied conserved genes, particularly nanos and piwi, known to regulate stem cells and reproductive processes across species. By mutating the nanos2 gene with CRISPR, they showed its critical role in producing both germ cells and somatic cells, underscoring how ancient these molecular tools are—dating back about 600 million years. This discovery hints at a deeply rooted evolutionary mechanism for regeneration that humans may have partially lost.
With these insights, researchers now have a clearer picture of how cnidarians defy ageing. The next step will be to unravel the exact processes that allow these stem cells to keep working so effectively, offering tantalizing possibilities for translating these lessons into anti-ageing and regenerative medicine in humans.
