Can jellyfish really live forever?

The answer

Turritopsis dohrnii, commonly called the immortal jellyfish, can theoretically live indefinitely by reverting from its adult medusa stage back to its juvenile polyp stage through a process called transdifferentiation, in which its specialized cells transform into different cell types. When stressed by injury, disease, or aging, it settles on the seafloor and reorganizes its cells into a polyp, essentially restarting its life cycle. While this biological immortality is remarkable, these jellyfish are not invulnerable; they can still die from predation, disease, or environmental changes. Scientists are studying the molecular mechanisms behind this process for potential insights into human aging and regenerative medicine.