How animals adapt to survive environmental stress

Evolutionary Mechanisms of Enhanced Environmental Stress Resistance

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · NIH-11140999

This study looks at how birds and horses handle tough situations like low oxygen and toxins, hoping to learn how they stay healthy in challenging environments, which could help us understand how humans and other animals cope too.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11140999 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how various animals, particularly birds and horses, respond to environmental stressors like low oxygen and toxins. By studying the molecular mechanisms that allow these species to thrive under challenging conditions, the research aims to uncover new insights into cellular protection and adaptation. The approach involves analyzing high-quality genomes of these animals to identify unique proteins and pathways that contribute to their resilience. This knowledge could lead to advancements in understanding similar responses in humans and other species.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions related to environmental stress, such as chronic respiratory diseases or age-related disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with acute conditions unrelated to environmental stress responses may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing stress resistance in humans and other animals, potentially improving health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding stress responses in various species, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancers

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.