Researchers learn to control jellyfish to explore the ocean depths

Researchers at the University of Colorado have begun experiments controlling modified moon jellyfish, also known as aurelia, to explore the ocean depths. As TechSpot reports, this could help track the effects of climate change without polluting the ocean.

Engineer Nicole Xu has spent five years experimenting with microelectronic devices that control the direction of jellyfish swimming. Xu's device controls the jellyfish by stimulating their muscle contractions. She plans to equip them with sensors that can measure ocean temperature and pH levels.

Aurelia are well-suited for ocean exploration because they are one of the most versatile and energy-efficient animals on Earth and are even found at extreme depths, from 200 to 1,000 meters below sea level in the Mariana Trench.

Although using jellyfish is cheaper than sending people or using specialized equipment, Xu still explores the ethical issues surrounding their use. While conducting experiments on invertebrates is considered more ethical than on mammals, recent research has questioned this assumption.

Jellyfish, like many other invertebrates, lack a brain or spinal cord. They have no pain receptors, although they do have nerve networks. So far, in Xu's experiments, the jellyfish have not shown any signs of stress, such as secreting excess mucus or stopping reproduction. However, the engineer advises that all future research should be conducted ethically.