Microchipped moon jellyfish may reveal secrets of the deep ocean

Engineers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, have developed microchipped "cyborg" moon jellyfish equipped with microelectronic devices that stimulate their swimming muscles, allowing researchers to steer them toward remote and inaccessible ocean regions. These biohybrid jellyfish, which are among the most energy-efficient animals and have existed for over 500 million years, could serve as living sensors to collect critical environmental data such as temperature and pH. This technology offers a novel way to study deep and difficult-to-reach ocean areas, which are increasingly important to monitor due to climate change impacts like warming and acidification. The research team, led by Xu, emphasizes ethical considerations in working with these invertebrates, which lack brains and nociceptors but can exhibit stress responses. The jellies have been thriving in lab conditions, with ongoing efforts to improve steering capabilities and use sustainable methods like biodegradable particles to study their swimming dynamics. Beyond oceanographic data collection, the project aims to inspire the design of