Ground squirrels are known for their remarkable ability to tolerate hypothermic conditions. Humans are not.
Image of a 13-lined ground squirrel by Laetitia C via Wikimedia Commons
Dr. JingXing Ou (National Institutes of Health) presented an interesting talk that explored using induced pluripotent neuronal stem cells isolated from these mammalian hibernators to improve tissue integrity for organ transplants. By understanding which pathways protected ground squirrel cells from cold-damage, these pathways could be manipulated in human induced pluripotent neuronal stem cells and improve their stability in cold conditions.
Categories: Environment, Extreme Animals, Hibernation and Hypoxia, Illnesses and Injuries, Nature's Solutions, Physiology on the Road
Tags: American Physiological Society, freeze, hibernation, hypothermia, NIH, organ preservation, organ transplant
Life Lines by Dr. Dolittle 