Study finds single cells may exhibit basic learning abilities

A new study suggests that single cells, including human cells and amoebae, may be capable of a simple form of learning called habituation. This challenges the belief that learning is exclusive to complex organisms with brains. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Centre for Genomic Regulation found evidence that cells can respond to repeated stimuli in ways similar to animals. They identified molecular networks in cells that exhibit memory storage and decay, indicating a basic form of learning. The findings could help explain phenomena like cancer cell resistance to treatment. However, further research is needed to confirm these ideas with biological data.