Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings

The tardigrade, a microscopic animal known for its resilience, can survive extreme environments by entering an inactive state called cryptobiosis. Cryptobiosis is associated with gross morphological changes, including major changes to the anatomy of the nervous system. By measuring motor function in recovery from cryptobiosis induced by lack of oxygen, osmotic stress, and freezing, this project aims to assess the stability of the tardigrade nervous system. These data show tardigrades restore normal motor function rapidly following cryptobiosis, suggesting that if the nervous system is disrupted by morphological changes, it may be capable of rebuilding itself rapidly. Future calcium imaging experiments will further assess neuronal activity in cryptobiosis and recovery. Ultimately, this work aims to provide valuable insights into neuroresilience, with downstream applications for advancing the fundamental understanding of how to create and translate a resilient nervous system.