Syracuse Researchers Discovered Heat-Resistant Amoeba

A newly identified eukaryote found in Lassen Volcanic National Park survived in temperatures reaching 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Life Sciences

Macro view of a laboratory beaker filled with clear bubbling spring water and tiny suspended microorganisms. — Syracuse University researchers discovered a heat-resistant amoeba, capable of surviving at 158 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly expanding the known thermal limits for complex life. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In September 2026, Syracuse University researchers published findings regarding a newly discovered single-cell organism known as the fire amoeba. This eukaryote was found to survive in hot spring water reaching 158 degrees Fahrenheit, challenging long-standing biological limits.

Why it matters

The discovery overturned a 50-year-old scientific consensus established in 1972 that limited the known thermal range for complex life to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Understanding how these organisms adapt to extreme environments provides critical insight into the evolutionary boundaries of eukaryotes.

The fire amoeba demonstrated active reproduction at 145 degrees Fahrenheit and remained mobile at 147 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers utilized barbecue tongs to collect environmental samples from hot springs in Lassen Volcanic National Park for laboratory testing.

The players

Angela Oliverio

She is a researcher who co-authored the study on the fire amoeba at Syracuse University.

Beryl Rappaport

She is a researcher who co-authored the study on the fire amoeba at Syracuse University.

Syracuse University

This is the academic institution where the laboratory research on the organism's temperature limits was conducted.

The details

Researchers performed daily laboratory temperature increases to test the organism's limits after collecting samples in 2023. While the organism survived at 158 degrees Fahrenheit, it entered a dormant state at that temperature before potentially recovering.

1972: Scientists previously hypothesized eukaryotes could not survive above 140 degrees.
2023: Researchers collected water samples from Lassen Volcanic National Park.
September 2026: Researchers published their findings in the Cell Press Journal.

The Big Picture

This discovery marks a departure from the 1972 scientific consensus on eukaryote thermal limits by documenting life at significantly higher temperatures.

This discovery shifts our understanding of biological resilience, which could eventually inform research into new biochemical processes or synthetic materials. By proving that complex life can function in extreme heat, scientists may identify new enzymes or proteins capable of industrial application.

The takeaway

The study proves that complex organisms possess more extreme thermal adaptability than previously believed by the scientific community. Future research will likely focus on these survival mechanisms to better define the absolute upper bounds for eukaryotic life.