A team at Stanford University has made a groundbreaking discovery about how a simple marine animal, known as placozoa, folds itself with remarkable precision. This research, conducted in the Prakash Lab, reveals new insights into fundamental cellular mechanisms and the evolutionary origins of tissue folding. The findings were published on December 21, 2025, in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Understanding Placozoa’s Unique Capabilities
Placozoa, primarily found in the Red Sea, is one of the simplest animals known, lacking a brain or nervous system. Despite its simplicity, it exhibits complex shapeshifting abilities reminiscent of origami. Researchers led by bioengineer Manu Prakash discovered a novel type of tissue folding that has never been observed in nature before.
The study focuses on how placozoa’s cells utilize cilia, the hairlike structures found on many cells, to manipulate their shape. The cilia effectively “walk” along surfaces, enabling the animal to mold its tissue into diverse forms. Graduate student Charlotte Brannon, along with Prakash, proposes that these findings could provide a new perspective on the evolutionary development of shape and form in early animals.
Implications for Evolution and Tissue Development
This research not only enhances our understanding of placozoa but also sheds light on broader biological processes. Tissue folding plays a crucial role in various living organisms, evident in the intricate folds of human brains and the joining of tissues during embryonic development. The insights gained from studying placozoa could pave the way for advancements in fields such as regenerative medicine and developmental biology.
“Our findings suggest that the principles of origami can be seen in the evolutionary history of shape and form,” said Prakash. “Understanding these mechanisms opens up new avenues for research in both biology and medicine.”
The implications of this study extend beyond mere academic knowledge. By grasping how early animals like placozoa manage to fold their tissues, scientists can better comprehend the fundamental processes that govern tissue development—an essential aspect of life.
The research conducted by Brannon, Prakash, and their team highlights the significance of simple organisms in understanding complex biological phenomena. As they continue to explore the capabilities of placozoa, they anticipate further discoveries that could reshape our understanding of evolution and tissue dynamics.
For more information, refer to the original research article: Charlotte M. Brannon et al, “Cilia-driven epithelial folding and unfolding in an early diverging animal,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(2025), DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2517741122.
