‘Fire amoeba’ survives in hotter conditions than any other complex cell

A newly discovered amoeba (Incendiamoeba cascadensis) can thrive at temperatures up to 64 °C — hotter than any other known complex cell. Researchers found that the species, discovered living in hot springs, was still able to divide happily at 63 °C, and could form dormant ‘cysts’ at temperatures as hot as 70 °C. “We need to rethink what’s possible for a eukaryotic cell in a significant way,” says microbiologist Angela Oliverio.