Sea cucumber tissue survived and grew for over three years after removal

Researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland found that tissue fragments from the cold-water sea cucumber Psolus fabricii retained structure, moved and grew in microbe-rich natural seawater for more than three years after removal. Lacking a mouth, the explants appeared to absorb amino acids directly from the water. The study was published in Science Advances.

• Tissue fragments from Psolus fabricii remained active over three years after removal
• Explants kept structure, moved and showed immune activity in non-sterile seawater
• Without a mouth, the tissue likely absorbed amino acids directly from seawater
• First known case of detached tissue growing long-term outside sterile conditions