Incendiamoeba cascadensis discovery breaks heat limits for eukaryotes

Researchers from Syracuse University, with funding in part from NASA, have discovered a new species of amoeba that shatters previous biological records for heat resistance in eukaryotic life. The organism, named ‘Incendiamoeba cascadensis’, was found in the hot springs of Lassen Volcanic National Park in California.

According to findings published in the journal Cell, this single-celled eukaryote can actively multiply at 63°C (145°F) and continue to feed and move at 64°C. It has also demonstrated the ability to survive short bursts of heat reaching up to 70°C. This discovery challenges the long-held scientific consensus that 60°C was the upper thermal limit for organisms with complex, nucleated cells.

The amoeba employs unique survival mechanisms, including genetic and structural adaptations that protect its proteins and allow it to repair its DNA under extreme conditions. When temperatures become too high, the organism can transform into a protective cyst to wait for more favorable conditions.