Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by reviving microscopic frozen organisms in Siberian permafrost for 24,000 years. The ancient creatures, known as bdelloid rotifers, survived in a state of cryptobiosis, halting all biological activity until conditions became favorable again.
When thawed, they resumed normal functions and began reproducing asexually, as if their millennia-long slumber had never happened. The ability of these tiny creatures to survive freezing is remarkable, and scientists believe it lies in a process called cryptobiosis.
Cryptobiosis allows bdelloid rotifers to produce special proteins that protect their cells from destruction when frozen. Unlike most organisms, which suffer irreversible damage when frozen, these microscopic creatures can withstand the extreme conditions. The study used carbon dating to confirm that the soil and organisms had been frozen for at least 24,000 years.
The discovery has significant implications for cryobiology and could drive breakthroughs in long-term organ preservation for transplants. It also raises questions about the potential risks of releasing ancient microorganisms as climate change causes permafrost to thaw at an alarming rate. The study highlights the resilience of life and expands our understanding of its ability to survive extreme conditions.
The research is still in its early stages, but it has sparked excitement about the potential applications of cryptobiosis and frozen survival mechanisms. Scientists are eager to explore its potential uses, including the possibility of humans entering a suspended state for deep-space missions or crops and medicines being frozen and revived effortlessly.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/scientists-revive-frozen-organisms