A recent study highlights the remarkable evolutionary adaptations in bats that enable them to resist cancer and tolerate viral infections.
Bats, the only flying mammals, can host and survive infections while maintaining low cancer rates and robust immune systems. These unique features are encoded in their genes. The study delves into the mechanisms of the bat immune system, which allows them to withstand viral infections. Understanding these mechanisms may aid in preventing disease outbreaks that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Their findings open the door to translating the unique biology of bats into valuable insights for understanding and treating human aging and diseases like cancer. This research signifies a promising step toward harnessing the natural defenses of bats to benefit human health and disease prevention.