Story perspectives

Deep-Sea Isopods Survive Five Years Starvation, Gene Boosts Survival

6/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chinese Academy of Sciences scientists published a Cell study showing deep-sea isopods survive over five years without food.
The study examined Bathynomus doederleini at ~300 m and Bathynomus jamesi at ~900 m depth.
Isopods fill two-thirds of their body with food, then cut metabolism sharply, letting reserves last years.
The ND1 gene regulates mitochondrial metabolism, and inserting it into zebrafish, nematodes and human cells raised starvation survival 37% in cold, deep-sea-like tests.

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Story summary

Chinese Academy of Sciences scientists published a Cell study showing deep-sea isopods survive over five years without food.
The study examined Bathynomus doederleini at ~300 m and Bathynomus jamesi at ~900 m depth.
Isopods fill two-thirds of their body with food, then cut metabolism sharply, letting reserves last years.
The ND1 gene regulates mitochondrial metabolism, and inserting it into zebrafish, nematodes and human cells raised starvation survival 37% in cold, deep-sea-like tests.