Bdelloid rotifers: a new biological model? | Karine VAN DONINCK

[Music]

[Music] good evening here you see a little petri

good evening here you see a little petri

good evening here you see a little petri dish that we use in the lab with a dry

dish that we use in the lab with a dry

dish that we use in the lab with a dry leaf completely dry and on there there

leaf completely dry and on there there

leaf completely dry and on there there are females why do I say females because

are females why do I say females because

are females why do I say females because that’s their way of life they live and

that’s their way of life they live and

that’s their way of life they live and evolve without males they got rid of

evolve without males they got rid of

evolve without males they got rid of males and also they are dry they can dry

males and also they are dry they can dry

males and also they are dry they can dry up and we can wait for years put them in

up and we can wait for years put them in

up and we can wait for years put them in the freezer and get the back tonight we

the freezer and get the back tonight we

the freezer and get the back tonight we will do a live experiment with one of my

will do a live experiment with one of my

will do a live experiment with one of my scientists Boris to resurrect these

scientists Boris to resurrect these

scientists Boris to resurrect these animals for you these females thanks

animals for you these females thanks

animals for you these females thanks Boris so look around you there is an

Boris so look around you there is an

Boris so look around you there is an amazing diversity of living organism on

amazing diversity of living organism on

amazing diversity of living organism on this planet from bacteria to Fonzi to

this planet from bacteria to Fonzi to

this planet from bacteria to Fonzi to plans to animals to human nothing looks

plans to animals to human nothing looks

plans to animals to human nothing looks alike but do you know that all these

alike but do you know that all these

alike but do you know that all these diversity arose once from a universal

diversity arose once from a universal

diversity arose once from a universal ancestor around 3.5 billion years ago

ancestor around 3.5 billion years ago

ancestor around 3.5 billion years ago and this ancestor of all living

and this ancestor of all living

and this ancestor of all living organisms a single simple cell something

organisms a single simple cell something

organisms a single simple cell something like a bacteria but how do we know that

like a bacteria but how do we know that

like a bacteria but how do we know that all life has evolved from a single cell

all life has evolved from a single cell

all life has evolved from a single cell we know this because we all share the

we know this because we all share the

we know this because we all share the same alphabet we have the same DNA code

same alphabet we have the same DNA code

same alphabet we have the same DNA code DNA is a magic molecule of life and DNA

DNA is a magic molecule of life and DNA

DNA is a magic molecule of life and DNA is only made up of four chemical

is only made up of four chemical

is only made up of four chemical building blocks citizen guanine adenine

building blocks citizen guanine adenine

building blocks citizen guanine adenine teaming so only four letters that make

teaming so only four letters that make

teaming so only four letters that make the whole alphabet of life so yes from

the whole alphabet of life so yes from

the whole alphabet of life so yes from bacteria to human we only need four

bacteria to human we only need four

bacteria to human we only need four letters but then what’s our DNA

letters but then what’s our DNA

letters but then what’s our DNA instruction book looking like in each of

instruction book looking like in each of

instruction book looking like in each of ourselves we have around three billions

ourselves we have around three billions

ourselves we have around three billions of those letters organized on 23 pairs

of those letters organized on 23 pairs

of those letters organized on 23 pairs of chromosomes so you see here it’s a

of chromosomes so you see here it’s a

of chromosomes so you see here it’s a compaction of these four letters but

compaction of these four letters but

compaction of these four letters but what makes you different from me is that

what makes you different from me is that

what makes you different from me is that these letters changes these letters

these letters changes these letters

these letters changes these letters changed between all the

changed between all the

changed between all the individuals so if we all have the same

individuals so if we all have the same

individuals so if we all have the same genetic code it means we are all related

genetic code it means we are all related

genetic code it means we are all related yes we are we all cousins from each

yes we are we all cousins from each

yes we are we all cousins from each other

other

other but then you may wonder how did we

but then you may wonder how did we

but then you may wonder how did we evolve to so many complex forms from

evolve to so many complex forms from

evolve to so many complex forms from such a single cell long time ago

such a single cell long time ago

such a single cell long time ago and that’s when I want you remember the

and that’s when I want you remember the

and that’s when I want you remember the card game we have been playing what’s

card game we have been playing what’s

card game we have been playing what’s essential for evolution is genetic

essential for evolution is genetic

essential for evolution is genetic variation it’s changes in these letters

variation it’s changes in these letters

variation it’s changes in these letters so these letters change randomly and

so these letters change randomly and

so these letters change randomly and most of these changes are neutral they

most of these changes are neutral they

most of these changes are neutral they have no effect on the fitness of the

have no effect on the fitness of the

have no effect on the fitness of the individual but if a change is advantage

individual but if a change is advantage

individual but if a change is advantage it can be selected

it can be selected

it can be selected remember we select if a positive

remember we select if a positive

remember we select if a positive mutation appears why is it selected

mutation appears why is it selected

mutation appears why is it selected because the individual gets an advantage

because the individual gets an advantage

because the individual gets an advantage and it might reproduce more than the

and it might reproduce more than the

and it might reproduce more than the others so the mutation is transmitted

others so the mutation is transmitted

others so the mutation is transmitted and we know that natural selection is

and we know that natural selection is

and we know that natural selection is cumulative that we can accumulate this

cumulative that we can accumulate this

cumulative that we can accumulate this positive mutation which is important for

positive mutation which is important for

positive mutation which is important for adaptation and evolution so as I said

adaptation and evolution so as I said

adaptation and evolution so as I said during the card game there is nothing of

during the card game there is nothing of

during the card game there is nothing of intelligent or Creator out there for

intelligent or Creator out there for

intelligent or Creator out there for evolution and look at cancer development

evolution and look at cancer development

evolution and look at cancer development cancer development is also an

cancer development is also an

cancer development is also an evolutionary process it follows this

evolutionary process it follows this

evolutionary process it follows this same mechanism each of our cells

same mechanism each of our cells

same mechanism each of our cells accumulate randomly these changes these

accumulate randomly these changes these

accumulate randomly these changes these mutations but if one of these normal

mutations but if one of these normal

mutations but if one of these normal cells suddenly gets a growth advantage a

cells suddenly gets a growth advantage a

cells suddenly gets a growth advantage a mutation that gives it a growth

mutation that gives it a growth

mutation that gives it a growth advantage compared to the other cells it

advantage compared to the other cells it

advantage compared to the other cells it will start to grow quicker an

will start to grow quicker an

will start to grow quicker an uncontrolled proliferation and cancer

uncontrolled proliferation and cancer

uncontrolled proliferation and cancer can occur and of course it’s a problem

can occur and of course it’s a problem

can occur and of course it’s a problem to human we know it but you know animals

to human we know it but you know animals

to human we know it but you know animals also get cancer but do all of them get

also get cancer but do all of them get

also get cancer but do all of them get cancer there are a few mysterious

cancer there are a few mysterious

cancer there are a few mysterious species that don’t develop cancer what

species that don’t develop cancer what

species that don’t develop cancer what are they

are they

are they the most notorious one is this naked

the most notorious one is this naked

the most notorious one is this naked mole rat very cute animal no for

mole rat very cute animal no for

mole rat very cute animal no for scientists it’s a very interesting

scientists it’s a very interesting

scientists it’s a very interesting animal it’s very small it’s like a mouse

animal it’s very small it’s like a mouse

animal it’s very small it’s like a mouse but it lives 30 years

but it lives 30 years

but it lives 30 years and mouse lives for years what’s also

and mouse lives for years what’s also

and mouse lives for years what’s also interesting is if you inject the cancer

interesting is if you inject the cancer

interesting is if you inject the cancer cell in this in this animal it will not

cell in this in this animal it will not

cell in this in this animal it will not develop and why scientists have searched

develop and why scientists have searched

develop and why scientists have searched for this for years and found that they

for this for years and found that they

for this for years and found that they have this kind of molecule a high

have this kind of molecule a high

have this kind of molecule a high molecular mass here luolan it’s a kind

molecular mass here luolan it’s a kind

molecular mass here luolan it’s a kind of ship super sugar that they secreted

of ship super sugar that they secreted

of ship super sugar that they secreted around the cells of these animals and it

around the cells of these animals and it

around the cells of these animals and it makes their tissue very elastic and why

makes their tissue very elastic and why

makes their tissue very elastic and why is it important because this animal they

is it important because this animal they

is it important because this animal they dig into the soul

dig into the soul

dig into the soul they make these burrows and so that

they make these burrows and so that

they make these burrows and so that tissue need to be very elastic so it’s

tissue need to be very elastic so it’s

tissue need to be very elastic so it’s not updation to this but what’s

not updation to this but what’s

not updation to this but what’s interesting is that it this molecule

interesting is that it this molecule

interesting is that it this molecule when it’s secreted around the cell it

when it’s secreted around the cell it

when it’s secreted around the cell it prevents the cell from dividing or

prevents the cell from dividing or

prevents the cell from dividing or proliferating further so you immediately

proliferating further so you immediately

proliferating further so you immediately see the interesting application of the

see the interesting application of the

see the interesting application of the discovery of such a molecule but if you

discovery of such a molecule but if you

discovery of such a molecule but if you think this is the only interesting

think this is the only interesting

think this is the only interesting animal out there it’s wrong nature is

animal out there it’s wrong nature is

animal out there it’s wrong nature is full of mysterious species where we can

full of mysterious species where we can

full of mysterious species where we can discover so much nature has been an

discover so much nature has been an

discover so much nature has been an inspiration to scientists for so many

inspiration to scientists for so many

inspiration to scientists for so many years like Albert Einstein said we know

years like Albert Einstein said we know

years like Albert Einstein said we know less than 1,000 of 1% of what nature has

less than 1,000 of 1% of what nature has

less than 1,000 of 1% of what nature has to reveal to us and if we do start to

to reveal to us and if we do start to

to reveal to us and if we do start to destroy our nature will will not even

destroy our nature will will not even

destroy our nature will will not even discover all everything that’s out there

discover all everything that’s out there

discover all everything that’s out there look at this gecko this gecko we know

look at this gecko this gecko we know

look at this gecko this gecko we know they can run quickly on vertical glasses

they can run quickly on vertical glasses

they can run quickly on vertical glasses but how how can this these animals Adi

but how how can this these animals Adi

but how how can this these animals Adi are so strongly to glass and then just

are so strongly to glass and then just

are so strongly to glass and then just run on it and so for long scientists

run on it and so for long scientists

run on it and so for long scientists looked at a molecule what kind of

looked at a molecule what kind of

looked at a molecule what kind of molecule is secreted that makes them

molecule is secreted that makes them

molecule is secreted that makes them like a glue like a strong adhesion and

like a glue like a strong adhesion and

like a glue like a strong adhesion and in fact by looking at these fingers they

in fact by looking at these fingers they

in fact by looking at these fingers they found is nothing of a molecule that is

found is nothing of a molecule that is

found is nothing of a molecule that is secreted but it’s a structure what they

secreted but it’s a structure what they

secreted but it’s a structure what they discovered is that underneath these

discovered is that underneath these

discovered is that underneath these figures there are these hairlike

figures there are these hairlike

figures there are these hairlike structures millions of them and if you

structures millions of them and if you

structures millions of them and if you look even at the nanoscopic level you

look even at the nanoscopic level you

look even at the nanoscopic level you see that at the end of all of these

see that at the end of all of these

see that at the end of all of these hairs you have hundreds of these spatula

hairs you have hundreds of these spatula

hairs you have hundreds of these spatula likes structures and when these are in

likes structures and when these are in

likes structures and when these are in strong contact with glass it creates a

strong contact with glass it creates a

strong contact with glass it creates a strong adhesion just through simple

strong adhesion just through simple

strong adhesion just through simple Vander Waals forces the simple forces

Vander Waals forces the simple forces

Vander Waals forces the simple forces that

that

that make this strong addition and when they

make this strong addition and when they

make this strong addition and when they rotate their fingers this force releases

rotate their fingers this force releases

rotate their fingers this force releases immediately and they can run further and

immediately and they can run further and

immediately and they can run further and of course laboratories have now been

of course laboratories have now been

of course laboratories have now been interested to just reconstruct these

interested to just reconstruct these

interested to just reconstruct these nano structures to make strong adhesives

nano structures to make strong adhesives

nano structures to make strong adhesives and that’s what I want to show you it’s

and that’s what I want to show you it’s

and that’s what I want to show you it’s so interesting to study biology because

so interesting to study biology because

so interesting to study biology because there’s so much to discover because

there’s so much to discover because

there’s so much to discover because there has been such a long evolution of

there has been such a long evolution of

there has been such a long evolution of all kinds of specimens with all kinds of

all kinds of specimens with all kinds of

all kinds of specimens with all kinds of different adaptations and what is

different adaptations and what is

different adaptations and what is puzzled me is reproduction you know that

puzzled me is reproduction you know that

puzzled me is reproduction you know that for life it’s essential to reproduce we

for life it’s essential to reproduce we

for life it’s essential to reproduce we need to reproduce or the species will go

need to reproduce or the species will go

need to reproduce or the species will go extinct but do you know that sexual

extinct but do you know that sexual

extinct but do you know that sexual reproduction the one we all know it’s

reproduction the one we all know it’s

reproduction the one we all know it’s the queen of problems in evolutionary

the queen of problems in evolutionary

the queen of problems in evolutionary biology first scientist it’s really a

biology first scientist it’s really a

biology first scientist it’s really a puzzle and why think about all the

puzzle and why think about all the

puzzle and why think about all the energy you need to spend to find a

energy you need to spend to find a

energy you need to spend to find a partner all the strategies the male’s

partner all the strategies the male’s

partner all the strategies the male’s developed to try to attract a female to

developed to try to attract a female to

developed to try to attract a female to try to fertilize her to the point that

try to fertilize her to the point that

try to fertilize her to the point that there is a battle of sexes believe me

there is a battle of sexes believe me

there is a battle of sexes believe me man penis is boring compared to this

man penis is boring compared to this

man penis is boring compared to this insect penis this is a penis of a bean

insect penis this is a penis of a bean

insect penis this is a penis of a bean level full of spines and the males with

level full of spines and the males with

level full of spines and the males with the longest spines are those that

the longest spines are those that

the longest spines are those that fertilize most of the eggs of course the

fertilize most of the eggs of course the

fertilize most of the eggs of course the female cannot reproduce anymore

female cannot reproduce anymore

female cannot reproduce anymore afterwards but least the male is sure he

afterwards but least the male is sure he

afterwards but least the male is sure he transmitted his genes a look at this

transmitted his genes a look at this

transmitted his genes a look at this fruit fly you might have many fruit

fruit fly you might have many fruit

fruit fly you might have many fruit flies in summer around your trash bin

flies in summer around your trash bin

flies in summer around your trash bin this fruit fly Drosophila belukha

this fruit fly Drosophila belukha

this fruit fly Drosophila belukha produces giant sperm 20 times its body

produces giant sperm 20 times its body

produces giant sperm 20 times its body it’s like you man you would have a pee

it’s like you man you would have a pee

it’s like you man you would have a pee urge a sperm that is twenty times your

urge a sperm that is twenty times your

urge a sperm that is twenty times your body like a building of 12 stages Wow

body like a building of 12 stages Wow

body like a building of 12 stages Wow but at least when it transmits this to

but at least when it transmits this to

but at least when it transmits this to the female the receptacle of the female

the female the receptacle of the female

the female the receptacle of the female is filled there is no space space for

is filled there is no space space for

is filled there is no space space for another sperm so it’s sure to transmit

another sperm so it’s sure to transmit

another sperm so it’s sure to transmit its genes but then why did such a

its genes but then why did such a

its genes but then why did such a complicated mode of reproduction evolved

complicated mode of reproduction evolved

complicated mode of reproduction evolved and is so omnipresent is it not just

and is so omnipresent is it not just

and is so omnipresent is it not just simpler to clone yourself one individual

simpler to clone yourself one individual

simpler to clone yourself one individual makes a new individual

makes a new individual

makes a new individual so why is sexual reproduction so

so why is sexual reproduction so

so why is sexual reproduction so prevalent in nature

prevalent in nature

prevalent in nature in fact for us biologists sex is just

in fact for us biologists sex is just

in fact for us biologists sex is just about mixing genetic material of one

about mixing genetic material of one

about mixing genetic material of one individual with another individual to

individual with another individual to

individual with another individual to create each generation of Springs that

create each generation of Springs that

create each generation of Springs that are all different and that’s a force of

are all different and that’s a force of

are all different and that’s a force of sexual reproduction

sexual reproduction

sexual reproduction it creates every generation this genetic

it creates every generation this genetic

it creates every generation this genetic variability that is essential for

variability that is essential for

variability that is essential for evolution so does it mean that animals

evolution so does it mean that animals

evolution so does it mean that animals that lose sexual reproduction or that

that lose sexual reproduction or that

that lose sexual reproduction or that abandon in order have no sexual

abandon in order have no sexual

abandon in order have no sexual reproduction cannot evolve cannot adapt

reproduction cannot evolve cannot adapt

reproduction cannot evolve cannot adapt that’s what we thought until we

that’s what we thought until we

that’s what we thought until we discovered what has been called an

discovered what has been called an

discovered what has been called an evolutionary scandal or an ancient

evolutionary scandal or an ancient

evolutionary scandal or an ancient sexual scandal it’s a microscopic world

sexual scandal it’s a microscopic world

sexual scandal it’s a microscopic world of animals the DeLuise rat first these

of animals the DeLuise rat first these

of animals the DeLuise rat first these are females cloning themselves never has

are females cloning themselves never has

are females cloning themselves never has any male been discovered they exist

any male been discovered they exist

any male been discovered they exist since millions of years and we found

since millions of years and we found

since millions of years and we found them everywhere and they are not only

them everywhere and they are not only

them everywhere and they are not only interesting because they can reproduce

interesting because they can reproduce

interesting because they can reproduce without males and if off without males

without males and if off without males

without males and if off without males we can also dry them out I showed you we

we can also dry them out I showed you we

we can also dry them out I showed you we can just take them here in the park a

can just take them here in the park a

can just take them here in the park a piece of Flickr no dry lickin bring it

piece of Flickr no dry lickin bring it

piece of Flickr no dry lickin bring it back to the lab and what you see that’s

back to the lab and what you see that’s

back to the lab and what you see that’s also what you see on the microscope this

also what you see on the microscope this

also what you see on the microscope this dry lickin’s and then they are in turns

dry lickin’s and then they are in turns

dry lickin’s and then they are in turns but when we add water they start to live

but when we add water they start to live

but when we add water they start to live again so these animals we can dry them

again so these animals we can dry them

again so these animals we can dry them out at any stage in their life and we

out at any stage in their life and we

out at any stage in their life and we can keep them dry we can put them in the

can keep them dry we can put them in the

can keep them dry we can put them in the -80 freezer we can send them to

-80 freezer we can send them to

-80 freezer we can send them to collaborators in the US and if they add

collaborators in the US and if they add

collaborators in the US and if they add water they live again and off and it’s

water they live again and off and it’s

water they live again and off and it’s not only one species you could take yeah

not only one species you could take yeah

not only one species you could take yeah but it’s just this rare animal no it’s

but it’s just this rare animal no it’s

but it’s just this rare animal no it’s more than 400 species being described

more than 400 species being described

more than 400 species being described having diversified into many

having diversified into many

having diversified into many morphological forms all females

morphological forms all females

morphological forms all females reproducing without males most of them

reproducing without males most of them

reproducing without males most of them being able to dry out and of course this

being able to dry out and of course this

being able to dry out and of course this makes the newspaper so reproduce not

makes the newspaper so reproduce not

makes the newspaper so reproduce not sexy possible yes it’s possible but then

sexy possible yes it’s possible but then

sexy possible yes it’s possible but then of course you might think how did these

of course you might think how did these

of course you might think how did these females evolve how do they create

females evolve how do they create

females evolve how do they create variability because we know

variability because we know

variability because we know it’s essential for evolution so if they

it’s essential for evolution so if they

it’s essential for evolution so if they just cloned themselves how do they ever

just cloned themselves how do they ever

just cloned themselves how do they ever evolve and adapt and so as a scientist

evolve and adapt and so as a scientist

evolve and adapt and so as a scientist is important to have these hypothesis to

is important to have these hypothesis to

is important to have these hypothesis to think of so our hypothesis is it’s easy

think of so our hypothesis is it’s easy

think of so our hypothesis is it’s easy to work with this animal you take a

to work with this animal you take a

to work with this animal you take a female in the wild you start to clone it

female in the wild you start to clone it

female in the wild you start to clone it in the lab you have millions of

in the lab you have millions of

in the lab you have millions of identical females we dry them up and

identical females we dry them up and

identical females we dry them up and then our question was do these females

then our question was do these females

then our question was do these females what happens to the genetic material of

what happens to the genetic material of

what happens to the genetic material of these females when we dry them up

these females when we dry them up

these females when we dry them up we know from bacteria that drying up

we know from bacteria that drying up

we know from bacteria that drying up breaks their genetic material into

breaks their genetic material into

breaks their genetic material into pieces is this also happening in these

pieces is this also happening in these

pieces is this also happening in these animals and then what if they don’t

animals and then what if they don’t

animals and then what if they don’t repair perfectly these pieces is this a

repair perfectly these pieces is this a

repair perfectly these pieces is this a way to create variability meaning if you

way to create variability meaning if you

way to create variability meaning if you replace males by drying up

replace males by drying up

replace males by drying up you might also evolve and so that’s what

you might also evolve and so that’s what

you might also evolve and so that’s what we tested so boys has designed a very

we tested so boys has designed a very

we tested so boys has designed a very nice protocol in the lab to dry them up

nice protocol in the lab to dry them up

nice protocol in the lab to dry them up with a high survival rate and what

with a high survival rate and what

with a high survival rate and what happens what to do these females when

happens what to do these females when

happens what to do these females when they are dried up you see the longer

they are dried up you see the longer

they are dried up you see the longer they are dried up the more their DNA is

they are dried up the more their DNA is

they are dried up the more their DNA is broken the simple gel and the DNA

broken the simple gel and the DNA

broken the simple gel and the DNA migrates through it the smaller the

migrates through it the smaller the

migrates through it the smaller the pieces and when we hydrate them what you

pieces and when we hydrate them what you

pieces and when we hydrate them what you see is that they start to repair so they

see is that they start to repair so they

see is that they start to repair so they can come out of drying they have their

can come out of drying they have their

can come out of drying they have their broken DNA but they can survive with

broken DNA but they can survive with

broken DNA but they can survive with broken DNA apparently and then they

broken DNA apparently and then they

broken DNA apparently and then they start to repair and you know if you have

start to repair and you know if you have

start to repair and you know if you have a cancer cell it’s known that the cancer

a cancer cell it’s known that the cancer

a cancer cell it’s known that the cancer cells sometimes during a division some

cells sometimes during a division some

cells sometimes during a division some DNA brokes and it repairs this broken

DNA brokes and it repairs this broken

DNA brokes and it repairs this broken DNA but not perfectly and you can have

DNA but not perfectly and you can have

DNA but not perfectly and you can have an aggressive cancer that appears what

an aggressive cancer that appears what

an aggressive cancer that appears what they do in proton therapy is use proton

they do in proton therapy is use proton

they do in proton therapy is use proton radiation to completely destroy the DNA

radiation to completely destroy the DNA

radiation to completely destroy the DNA of cancer cells so the DSA cells gets

of cancer cells so the DSA cells gets

of cancer cells so the DSA cells gets completely broken the DNA and the

completely broken the DNA and the

completely broken the DNA and the molecules too and so we thought if we do

molecules too and so we thought if we do

molecules too and so we thought if we do proton radiation to these animals what

proton radiation to these animals what

proton radiation to these animals what happens so we took again a female we dry

happens so we took again a female we dry

happens so we took again a female we dry it up we add proton radiation and what

it up we add proton radiation and what

it up we add proton radiation and what happens the

happens the

happens the make it completely broken and this 800

make it completely broken and this 800

make it completely broken and this 800 gray of proton radiations are huge doses

gray of proton radiations are huge doses

gray of proton radiations are huge doses there are no living cells that can

there are no living cells that can

there are no living cells that can survive this but what’s amazing here is

survive this but what’s amazing here is

survive this but what’s amazing here is you really see the dean is completely

you really see the dean is completely

you really see the dean is completely broken and when we rehydrate these

broken and when we rehydrate these

broken and when we rehydrate these females 99 percent of them survive so

females 99 percent of them survive so

females 99 percent of them survive so they come up of drying with a completely

they come up of drying with a completely

they come up of drying with a completely broken Chilean DNA without problem and

broken Chilean DNA without problem and

broken Chilean DNA without problem and then they start to repair and of course

then they start to repair and of course

then they start to repair and of course the question is do they really repair

the question is do they really repair

the question is do they really repair perfectly or so do they put all the

perfectly or so do they put all the

perfectly or so do they put all the pieces of DNA back together into their

pieces of DNA back together into their

pieces of DNA back together into their 12 chromosomes because we found they had

12 chromosomes because we found they had

12 chromosomes because we found they had 12 chromosomes or is that just creating

12 chromosomes or is that just creating

12 chromosomes or is that just creating some variability and so we have to here

some variability and so we have to here

some variability and so we have to here preliminary results that I’m just

preliminary results that I’m just

preliminary results that I’m just showing you tonight where we did this

showing you tonight where we did this

showing you tonight where we did this experiments so where we dry them up we

experiments so where we dry them up we

experiments so where we dry them up we irradiate them and then we look at

irradiate them and then we look at

irradiate them and then we look at genomic structure not going too much

genomic structure not going too much

genomic structure not going too much into detail but what you see here is for

into detail but what you see here is for

into detail but what you see here is for example pieces of the reach of the

example pieces of the reach of the

example pieces of the reach of the genome from a female before she was

genome from a female before she was

genome from a female before she was radiated or dried up then we dry it up

radiated or dried up then we dry it up

radiated or dried up then we dry it up we irradiate it and we look at whether

we irradiate it and we look at whether

we irradiate it and we look at whether these pieces come back you see here

these pieces come back you see here

these pieces come back you see here everything is destroyed and whether we

everything is destroyed and whether we

everything is destroyed and whether we get these pieces back showing that it’s

get these pieces back showing that it’s

get these pieces back showing that it’s stitching back all these DNA pieces

stitching back all these DNA pieces

stitching back all these DNA pieces together into these 12 chromosomes so

together into these 12 chromosomes so

together into these 12 chromosomes so they can do this they reconstruct their

they can do this they reconstruct their

they can do this they reconstruct their genome as before or at least that’s what

genome as before or at least that’s what

genome as before or at least that’s what it seems to look like and even the

it seems to look like and even the

it seems to look like and even the descendants have that same structure as

descendants have that same structure as

descendants have that same structure as a parent align so is there no genetic

a parent align so is there no genetic

a parent align so is there no genetic scrambling going on that’s possible

scrambling going on that’s possible

scrambling going on that’s possible maybe they don’t indeed make a

maybe they don’t indeed make a

maybe they don’t indeed make a completely new genome they keep their

completely new genome they keep their

completely new genome they keep their genome but what we then ask us question

genome but what we then ask us question

genome but what we then ask us question is how can you survive when you are

is how can you survive when you are

is how can you survive when you are irradiated because not only your DNA is

irradiated because not only your DNA is

irradiated because not only your DNA is broken but also your molecules must be

broken but also your molecules must be

broken but also your molecules must be broken but they must keep their

broken but they must keep their

broken but they must keep their molecules somehow intact because you

molecules somehow intact because you

molecules somehow intact because you need these MOC molecules to repair your

need these MOC molecules to repair your

need these MOC molecules to repair your DNA so what do they have what’s their

DNA so what do they have what’s their

DNA so what do they have what’s their secret what we found by sequencing the

secret what we found by sequencing the

secret what we found by sequencing the first genome so really sequencing the

first genome so really sequencing the

first genome so really sequencing the entire alphabet of this animal

entire alphabet of this animal

entire alphabet of this animal we found that they have a huge amount of

we found that they have a huge amount of

we found that they have a huge amount of antioxidants antioxidants are essential

antioxidants antioxidants are essential

antioxidants antioxidants are essential to protect yourself from these damaged

to protect yourself from these damaged

to protect yourself from these damaged cells we all have antioxidants that’s

cells we all have antioxidants that’s

cells we all have antioxidants that’s because our cells accumulate damages a

because our cells accumulate damages a

because our cells accumulate damages a kind of what we call a oxidative stress

kind of what we call a oxidative stress

kind of what we call a oxidative stress and your proteins your DNA everything

and your proteins your DNA everything

and your proteins your DNA everything gets damages that’s why we get older and

gets damages that’s why we get older and

gets damages that’s why we get older and that’s why you put all these creams on

that’s why you put all these creams on

that’s why you put all these creams on full of antioxidants to try to prevent

full of antioxidants to try to prevent

full of antioxidants to try to prevent the aging of your cells but it will not

the aging of your cells but it will not

the aging of your cells but it will not but here these animals have a huge

but here these animals have a huge

but here these animals have a huge amount of these antioxidants so next

amount of these antioxidants so next

amount of these antioxidants so next time think about it don’t buy all these

time think about it don’t buy all these

time think about it don’t buy all these expensive creams full of antioxidants

expensive creams full of antioxidants

expensive creams full of antioxidants just drink some rat AFER’s you find them

just drink some rat AFER’s you find them

just drink some rat AFER’s you find them in the nature and might help but of

in the nature and might help but of

in the nature and might help but of course these are all things we discover

course these are all things we discover

course these are all things we discover but as a scientist when you discover

but as a scientist when you discover

but as a scientist when you discover things you have even much more questions

things you have even much more questions

things you have even much more questions and so recently I obtained two a grant

and so recently I obtained two a grant

and so recently I obtained two a grant from the European Research Council to

from the European Research Council to

from the European Research Council to really try to demystify all these

really try to demystify all these

really try to demystify all these mysteries we found we found they have

mysteries we found we found they have

mysteries we found we found they have this huge amount of antioxidants but are

this huge amount of antioxidants but are

this huge amount of antioxidants but are they really effective how do they repair

they really effective how do they repair

they really effective how do they repair this broken genome what are the

this broken genome what are the

this broken genome what are the molecules the mechanism a have to repair

molecules the mechanism a have to repair

molecules the mechanism a have to repair such a broken genome to survive drying

such a broken genome to survive drying

such a broken genome to survive drying freezing and then one last thing we

freezing and then one last thing we

freezing and then one last thing we discovered is by sequencing their genome

discovered is by sequencing their genome

discovered is by sequencing their genome we found between their genetic material

we found between their genetic material

we found between their genetic material genetic material from bacteria plants

genetic material from bacteria plants

genetic material from bacteria plants fungi so they seem to integrate DNA from

fungi so they seem to integrate DNA from

fungi so they seem to integrate DNA from their environment and that’s of course

their environment and that’s of course

their environment and that’s of course bustling but we also thought if they can

bustling but we also thought if they can

bustling but we also thought if they can integrate this foreign DNA can they also

integrate this foreign DNA can they also

integrate this foreign DNA can they also integrate DNA from other females out

integrate DNA from other females out

integrate DNA from other females out there are the rotifer that also dry up

there are the rotifer that also dry up

there are the rotifer that also dry up and the first results we got on this is

and the first results we got on this is

and the first results we got on this is that we found some signatures of DNA

that we found some signatures of DNA

that we found some signatures of DNA exchange between these females and we

exchange between these females and we

exchange between these females and we think it’s not conventional sex because

think it’s not conventional sex because

think it’s not conventional sex because we never found males so they are not

we never found males so they are not

we never found males so they are not using the strategy that all animals do a

using the strategy that all animals do a

using the strategy that all animals do a sperm and an oversight to exchange DNA

sperm and an oversight to exchange DNA

sperm and an oversight to exchange DNA so what is the strategy we have no idea

so what is the strategy we have no idea

so what is the strategy we have no idea we called it’s a for mixes it’s a mixing

we called it’s a for mixes it’s a mixing

we called it’s a for mixes it’s a mixing of genetic material between females and

of genetic material between females and

of genetic material between females and you immediately see here and that’s why

you immediately see here and that’s why

you immediately see here and that’s why it’s so beautiful to be a scientist if

it’s so beautiful to be a scientist if

it’s so beautiful to be a scientist if you discover a lot but you have even

you discover a lot but you have even

you discover a lot but you have even more questions but what’s for sure is

Bdelloid rotifers: a new biological model? | Karine VAN DONINCK | TEDxUNamur

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply