Overview
- The study published Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 in Cell describes a new species, Incendiamoeba cascadensis, that was observed performing mitosis at about 63°C (145°F).
- Researchers collected samples from a neutral‑pH tributary of Hot Spring Creek in Lassen Volcanic National Park between 2023 and 2025 and cultured the amoeba in the lab to test its temperature limits.
- Laboratory work showed the organism stays active at roughly 63–64°C and can survive by entering dormancy at temperatures up to about 70°C, recovering when returned to cooler conditions.
- Gene‑expression and molecular analyses found increased activity in DNA‑repair and protein‑stabilizing pathways plus physical responses like shape changes and protective layers that reduce heat damage.
- The discovery overturns the accepted ~60°C ceiling for eukaryotes, highlights a top‑predator role for the amoeba in hot springs, and prompts further searches to map its distribution and the evolution of heat tolerance.