Survival Mechanisms in Tardigrades against Radiation and Desiccation

So small and yet so helpful! Tardigrades are microscopic invertebrate animals that show considerable resistance to radiation and extreme dehydration, which cause oxidative stress in cells. Dr. Daiki Horikawa is studying protection and repair mechanisms against oxidative stress at the molecular level in the nervous system of tardigrades. This research could lead to a better understanding of how oxidative stress damages the human brain and how to prevent or even repair such damage.