Tardigrades – Evolutionary Explorers in Extreme Environments

Ingemar, Jönsson K.

doi:10.1002/9781119593096.ch12

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…experimentalis were extracted from the stock culture, and a new culture dedicated to the experiment was established. Specimens were cultured for six months according to Roszkowska et al [ 37 ] in order to obtain the number of individuals necessary to start the experiment. In summary, the specimens were kept in plastic Petri dishes (⌀ 55 mm), scratched on the bottom with sandpaper, and filled with culture medium containing 75% distilled water mixed with 25% still spring water Żywiec Zdrój (Cięcina, Poland).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These unique abilities are facilitated by different metabolites produced by tardigrades, mainly different types of proteins (but not only), including cytoplasmic-abundant heat-soluble (CAHS) proteins, cytotardin, mitochondrial-abundant heat-soluble (MAHS) proteins, secretory-abundant heat-soluble (SAHS) proteins, late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) proteins, damage suppressor protein (Dsup), heat shock proteins (Hsps), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (for a review, see [ 34 ]). Due to their resistance and excellent ability to enter into anhydrobiosis, tardigrades are considered suitable for space studies and astrobiological research [ 28 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long-Term Survivability of Tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis (Eutardigrada) at Increased Magnesium Perchlorate Levels: Implications for Astrobiological Research

Wilanowska,

Rzymski,

Kaczmarek

2024

Life

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Perchlorate salts, including magnesium perchlorate, are highly toxic compounds that occur on Mars at levels far surpassing those on Earth and pose a significant challenge to the survival of life on this planet. Tardigrades are commonly known for their extraordinary resistance to extreme environmental conditions and are considered model organisms for space and astrobiological research. However, their long-term tolerance to perchlorate salts has not been the subject of any previous studies. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess whether the tardigrade species Paramacrobiotus experimentalis can survive and grow in an environment contaminated with high levels of magnesium perchlorates (0.25–1.0%, 1.5–6.0 mM ClO4− ions). The survival rate of tardigrades decreased with an increase in the concentration of the perchlorate solutions and varied from 83.3% (0.10% concentration) to 20.8% (0.25% concentration) over the course of 56 days of exposure. Tardigrades exposed to 0.15–0.25% magnesium perchlorate revealed significantly decreased body length. Our study indicates that tardigrades can survive and grow in relatively high concentrations of magnesium perchlorates, largely exceeding perchlorate levels observed naturally on Earth, indicating their potential use in Martian experiments.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Survivability of Tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis (Eutardigrada) at Increased Magnesium Perchlorate Levels: Implications for Astrobiological Research

Wilanowska,

Rzymski,

Kaczmarek

2024

Life

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Biomorph Soft Actuators with Tardigrade‐Like Resilience

Salahuddin,

Aziz,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Adv Funct Materials

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Tardigrades are the most resilient biospecies on Earth, capable of surviving extreme conditions including high temperatures, pressures, air deprivation, and exposure to noxious chemicals and radiation. The study here undertakes biomimicry of the remarkable adaptability of tardigrades by designing biomorph soft actuators (BSAs) that can endure these harsh environments. Unlike previous tardigrade‐inspired materials, which lacked a naturalistic interaction with their surroundings, the BSAs replicate the anatomical macrostructures and the non‐monotonic environmental resilience of tardigrades, especially their ability to adapt via dehydration and rehydration. Dual‐layer hydrogel spheres are employed with embedded fluid bubbles, creating cohesive yet non‐monolithic smart BSA structures. These structures exhibit high resilience to compressive, thermal, and radiation stimuli, achieved through thermoresponsive shape morphing driven by fluid balance. Their advanced capabilities are also demonstrated, such as driving a McKibben‐type artificial muscle and rapidly regenerating themselves from a state exposed to hazardous chemicals. Such versatile actuating biomorphs hold great promise for various autonomous applications, including soft robotic operations in aqueous effluents, deserts, polar regions, and outer space.

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Applicable Life-History and Molecular Traits for Studying the Effects of Anhydrobiosis on Aging in Tardigrades

2022

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Anhydrobiosis is induced by loss of water and indicates dehydration tolerance. Survival of dehydration is possible through changes at different levels of organism organization, including a remarkable reduction in metabolic activity at the cellular level. Thus, anhydrobiosis may be regarded as an anti-aging strategy. Accordingly, two hypotheses named after popular stories, “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, were proposed to explain the effect of anhydrobiosis on aging. The two hypotheses predict the presence (The Picture of Dorian Gray) or absence (Sleeping Beauty) of observable aging symptoms for animals undergoing anhydrobiosis. Predictions of these hypotheses have rarely been tested, and the cellular level has not been addressed. Tardigrades appear to be a useful model for studying the effect of anhydrobiosis on aging, as they are able to enter and survive anhydrobiosis at any stage of life, although not with the same success for all species. In this review, we discuss anhydrobiosis and aging mechanisms as well as tardigrade diversity and indicate possible multilevel markers that can be used to study the impact of anhydrobiosis on tardigrade aging. This review provides data on tardigrade diversity that may also be useful for human aging studies.

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Tardigrades – Evolutionary Explorers in Extreme Environments

Cited by 3 publications

References 64 publications

Long-Term Survivability of Tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis (Eutardigrada) at Increased Magnesium Perchlorate Levels: Implications for Astrobiological Research

Long-Term Survivability of Tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis (Eutardigrada) at Increased Magnesium Perchlorate Levels: Implications for Astrobiological Research

Biomorph Soft Actuators with Tardigrade‐Like Resilience

Applicable Life-History and Molecular Traits for Studying the Effects of Anhydrobiosis on Aging in Tardigrades

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