After a person dies, some genes within the body continue to operate actively for about two days.
The process of human death resembles the gradual shutdown of a computer rather than the instant flick of a light switch, according to Fox News. In a study published in the journal Open Biology at the end of January, scientists at the University of Washington, USA, discovered that many genes in the body remain active for approximately two days after the heart stops beating.
Some cells remain alive and self-repair after a person dies. (Photo: Katarzyna Bialasiewicz).
When investigating the deaths of mice and zebrafish, the research team found that the activity of most genes decreased. However, 548 zebrafish genes and 515 mouse genes exhibited strong levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) activity that lasted for 48 hours after the animals died. They referred to this phenomenon as “the twilight of death.”
“Not all cells die immediately after an organism passes away. Different types of cells have varying lifespans, division times, and stress recovery abilities. It is likely that some cells remain alive and attempt to self-repair, especially stem cells,” Seeker quoted Peter Noble, the lead author of the study, as saying.
Noble believes that a similar process occurs in humans. The active genes are linked to fetal development, immune response, inflammation, and cancer. Cells may “attempt to self-repair” as if the body is still alive.
According to the research team, some genes are activated because they possess mechanisms to prevent themselves from stopping their activity. This phenomenon explains why organ transplant recipients are more susceptible to cancer. Furthermore, mRNA measurements in a person’s body after death can accurately determine the time of death, down to the minute.
