The genome of Turritopsis dohrnii, a tiny jellyfish has been sequenced by a team directed by Carlos Otin in the Oviedo University (Spain).

Why this is interesting:

Turritopsis dohrnii is a marine Hydrozoan, so it has two phases in its life cycle: a small polyp colony and a solitary jellyfish. Is famous among zoologists because when the jellyfish is about to die can regrow as polyp inside the dying animal without changing its genome (is the same individual) and became young again like a Phoenix. This cycle can happen an unlimited number of times so, in absence of predators or accidents, the animal in theory can live forever. Is the most famous in the very exclusive and very reduced club of immortal animals.

The study of the genes related can help us to understand the longevity of the animals and maybe to improve our own longevity. Article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA).