The Mystery of the Immortal Jellyfish

There is a species of jellyfish, Turritopsis dohrnii, that has effectively figured out how to cheat death. When faced with physical stress, illness, or old age, it can revert its cells back to their earliest form—the polyp stage. Instead of dying, it essentially hits the reset button, starting its life cycle over again. This process of transdifferentiation is like a butterfly turning back into a caterpillar. While in the wild they are still vulnerable to predators and disease, theoretically, this cycle can repeat indefinitely, making them biologically immortal. It’s a tiny creature that holds one of the biggest secrets of life.