A discovery by a Canadian scientist reveals that severed pieces of flesh from scarlet sea cucumbers can exhibit a peculiar form of persistence, existing in a state between life and death for extended periods. Sara Jobson, a doctoral student at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, led the study that uncovered this apparent tissue immortality in sea cucumbers. Describing the findings as the first known case of detached tissue surviving independently, Jobson referred to the observed specimens as “little lab zombies.”
In a recent interview, Jobson highlighted the unique nature of the scarlet sea cucumber’s tissue, which demonstrated the ability to reform into a distinct biological structure without reproducing or regenerating into a new sea cucumber, straddling the boundary between life and death. The study, published in Science Advances, involved placing segments of the sea cucumber’s tentacles and tube feet in seawater to observe their behavior.
Over time, the amputated tissue underwent a process where it sterilized the amputation site, sealed the wound, and transformed into round, translucent structures with red pigment cores. Despite exhibiting characteristics of living organisms, such as nutrient absorption and an active immune system, the tissue samples did not reproduce, leading Jobson to coin the term “zombie tissue” for these enigmatic entities.
The evolutionary advantage of this phenomenon for sea cucumbers remains unclear, according to Jobson. She emphasized the potential scientific research opportunities presented by the study, particularly in exploring the aging of these resilient tissue samples. Jobson attributed her discovery to the supportive environment of the lab led by Annie Mercier, a professor of ocean sciences at Memorial University, where curiosity-driven science fuels unconventional inquiries and innovative answers.