Researchers are studying life after death – and it's getting weirder and weirder

The survival and functionality of certain cells after death depends on many factors, including environmental conditions, metabolic activity, and preservation techniques. Different cell types have distinct survival times. For example, human white blood cells typically live between 60 and 86 hours after the organism's death, while mouse muscle and skeletal cells can persist for up to 14 days. Sheep and goat fibroblasts, on the other hand, can be cultured in the laboratory for up to a month after the organism's death.

Metabolic activity plays a crucial role in cell survival. Cells requiring a continuous energy supply are more difficult to maintain than those with lower energy requirements. Cryopreservation techniques can prolong the viability of certain tissues, such as bone marrow, thus preserving samples ready for transplantation.

Internal survival mechanisms also play a critical role in this postmortem resilience. The researchers observed a significant increase in the activity of genes associated with stress and the immune system, likely to compensate for the loss of cellular balance. At the same time, other factors, such as injury, infection, and time since death, also influence cell and tissue viability.

Factors influencing cell transformation after death

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