Hydra Genome Sequencing (IMAGE) University of California - Irvine Caption This photo of Hydra was taken in a Newport Beach, Calif., stream. The freshwater polyp has been a staple of biological research for 300 years. Credit Peter Bryant / UC Irvine Usage Restrictions must credit photographer License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.