Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are microscopic animals that are known for their ability to survive in extreme environments. They can withstand temperatures as low as -272 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 302 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as pressures up to six times greater than those found in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Tardigrades also have the ability to enter a state of suspended animation called cryptobiosis, during which their metabolism slows down to nearly zero. This allows them to survive for long periods of time without food or water.

Researchers have been studying tardigrades in an effort to learn more about their unique abilities. They hope to one day be able to use tardigrade proteins to develop new treatments for human diseases.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of California, San Diego found that tardigrade proteins can slow down metabolism in human cells. The researchers introduced tardigrade proteins into human cells and found that the cells' metabolism slowed down by up to 50%.

The researchers believe that tardigrade proteins could be used to treat a variety of human diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. Cancer cells grow and multiply rapidly, and they need a lot of energy to do so. By slowing down metabolism, tardigrade proteins could help to slow the growth of cancer cells. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the blood. By slowing down metabolism, tardigrade proteins could help to reduce the amount of glucose that cells need, which could help to control blood sugar levels.

The researchers are continuing to study tardigrade proteins and their potential medical applications. They are hopeful that tardigrade proteins could one day be used to develop new treatments for a variety of human diseases.

Source:

"Tardigrade Proteins Can Slow Metabolism in Human Cells." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 August 2017. .