Christina PrivinFollow

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Major

Biology

Anticipated Graduation Year

2025

Access Type

Open Access

Abstract

Christina Privin - A Single Puzzle Piece

Acrylic paint on plastic

The organism Turritopsis dohrnii, nick-named the “immortal jellyfish,” can biologically live forever. When an adult organism is harmed, it reverts to an earlier stage of its life cycle, into a polyp. This polyp releases a new jellyfish that is genetically identical to the previously injured adult (transdifferentiation). A single cell of the organism can become a completely different type of specialized cell. This transformation of cells has the potential to be applied in the medical field, helping scientists in stem cell research replace damaged cells. However, more research is required to determine the applications of this ability.

Studies often lead to the need for more research. We usually only find one piece of information at a time and need to find a way to piece it together. Pieces of information are depicted within the artwork through multiple translucent layers; Each layer represents a single piece of information that upon combination forms a clear image. With only one of the layers, it would be hard to figure out what the painting is made of. The five layers are a representation of the five stages of the jellyfish life cycle: the planula larva, polyp, budding polyp, ephyra, and the medusa. The polyp in the center of the jellyfish represents its ability to revert itself into polyp form at any given time. The “immortal jellyfish” is one example of how research can help us discover amazing things, even things that we may not believe are possible. This jellyfish shows that we still have much left to reveal and learn through research.

Research has led us to learn new things, which shows how science is not static. Science is dynamic, forever changing as we study more every day. Sometimes it may take multiple attempts to figure out how a discovery fits our present-day knowledge. Sometimes figuring out an answer comes down to trial and error, just like trying to fit a tiny puzzle piece into a larger puzzle. Whether or not we realize it, everything is connected and somehow has a way of fitting together. We just need to find where and how each piece of information fits in with the rest, with the hopes of one day having a better and more complete understanding of the world around us.

Faculty Mentors & Instructors

Dr.Price

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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Beauty in Biology - A Single Puzzle Piece

Christina Privin - A Single Puzzle Piece

Acrylic paint on plastic

The organism Turritopsis dohrnii, nick-named the “immortal jellyfish,” can biologically live forever. When an adult organism is harmed, it reverts to an earlier stage of its life cycle, into a polyp. This polyp releases a new jellyfish that is genetically identical to the previously injured adult (transdifferentiation). A single cell of the organism can become a completely different type of specialized cell. This transformation of cells has the potential to be applied in the medical field, helping scientists in stem cell research replace damaged cells. However, more research is required to determine the applications of this ability.

Studies often lead to the need for more research. We usually only find one piece of information at a time and need to find a way to piece it together. Pieces of information are depicted within the artwork through multiple translucent layers; Each layer represents a single piece of information that upon combination forms a clear image. With only one of the layers, it would be hard to figure out what the painting is made of. The five layers are a representation of the five stages of the jellyfish life cycle: the planula larva, polyp, budding polyp, ephyra, and the medusa. The polyp in the center of the jellyfish represents its ability to revert itself into polyp form at any given time. The “immortal jellyfish” is one example of how research can help us discover amazing things, even things that we may not believe are possible. This jellyfish shows that we still have much left to reveal and learn through research.

Research has led us to learn new things, which shows how science is not static. Science is dynamic, forever changing as we study more every day. Sometimes it may take multiple attempts to figure out how a discovery fits our present-day knowledge. Sometimes figuring out an answer comes down to trial and error, just like trying to fit a tiny puzzle piece into a larger puzzle. Whether or not we realize it, everything is connected and somehow has a way of fitting together. We just need to find where and how each piece of information fits in with the rest, with the hopes of one day having a better and more complete understanding of the world around us.