News Chemistry

Here’s how tardigrades go into suspended animation

Chemical changes to the amino acid cysteine trigger what’s called the “tun” state

a tardigrade, which is a tiny eight-legged animal that resembles a bear, glows purple

Tardigrades, like this one stained with a dye to show its internal organs, can survive extreme conditions while dormant. Scientists have discovered the chemical signal that causes the animals to hunker down and wake up again.

A.L. Smythers et al/ PLOS ONE 2024 (CC-BY 4.0)

By Tina Hesman Saey

Researchers have discovered a molecular sensor that tells tardigrades it’s time to toughen up.