Prof. Karine Van Doninck, ULB, Bdelloid rotifers and their resilience in extreme environments (2025)
Bdelloid rotifers are mysterious microscopic animals that are remarkably resistant to desiccation, ionising radiation and even freezing. They are microscopic animals (150 to 700 µm) that reproduce asexually, living mainly in lichens, mosses and damp soil. What sets bdelloid rotifers apart is their incredible ability to restore their genome after being damaged by long periods of desiccation or radiation, while at the same time resuming normal functioning. Their tolerance of these extreme conditions reflects their ability to prevent or minimise the effects of oxidative stress and damage to their proteins, which are essential for the faithful repair of their DNA. These rotifers are therefore a fascinating enigma for biologists: how did these animals acquire such exceptional resistance? Karine Van Doninck explores the evolution and molecular basis of the unique resistance of bdelloid rotifers, making them model animals for research.
More information on the ULB Foundation website.