How animals adapt to survive environmental stress
Official title: Evolutionary Mechanisms of Enhanced Environmental Stress Resistance
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11140999 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 19, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $396,127 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155367-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140999 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions related to environmental stress, such as chronic respiratory diseases or age-related disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute conditions unrelated to environmental stress responses may not receive benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castiglione, Gianni Marcello — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Castiglione, Gianni Marcello
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.