30-Year-Old Frozen Animal Revived

Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research scientists have succeeded in bringing a frozen animal back to life after 30 years, it has been reported

16:40 18 January 2016

A Japan-based research facility has said that its scientists were successful in reviving the “tardigrade” animal, which they had collected in Antarctica. The creatures measure less than 1mm in length and dwell in extreme and hostile conditions. They have the ability to slow down or even shut down their metabolic activities for a considerable period of time.

 

According to the study published in Cryobiology magazine, the animals were stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius in 1983. They were successfully unfrozen in May 2014.

 

An egg and a living animal were revived. The latter began moving and consuming food after a fortnight. Meanwhile, the egg laid 19 eggs, of which 14 successfully hatched.

 

In the past, there were confirmed reports of tardigrades that were revived after nine years. However, it is thought that this is the first time of successful revival after 30 years.

 

Writing in the research publication, the authors noted: “The present study extends the known length of long-term survival in tardigrade species considerably… Further more detailed studies using quantitative analysis with greater replication under a range of controlled conditions will improve understanding of mechanisms and conditions underlying the long-term preservation and survival of animals.”