Catching jellyfish is no easy task. For a start they are around 95 per cent water, and are one of the most delicate creatures in the oceans, easily damaged by nets and adept at slipping away from grasping fingers.

Now researchers at Harvard University have developed a robot which has ‘fettuccini-like fingers’ to clasp the little creatures in a gentle embrace.

Jellyfish are crucial for science, yielding important discoveries, such as green flourescent proteins which are used to study gene expressions. They also have fascinating life-cycles where they can actually reverse the ageing process.

Researchers believe that studying them could provide insights into to turn back the clock for humans.

But acquiring enough for studying has proved tricky and most remote underwater vehicles are designed for grasping rocks or hardier sealife.