How brine shrimp survive low oxygen conditions
Official title: Mitochondrial resilience mechanisms of extremophile brine shrimp Artemia
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11053590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how baby brine shrimp can live in super low-oxygen environments, which might help us find new ways to protect human cells from damage during conditions like stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $209,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS137275-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals suffering from conditions related to mitochondrial dysfunction, such as those experiencing cerebral ischemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to mitochondrial dysfunction or those not experiencing ischemic events may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the embryos of brine shrimp, known as Artemia, can survive in environments with very low oxygen levels. The study focuses on understanding the unique mechanisms that protect their mitochondria from damage caused by calcium and hypoxia, which are common issues in conditions like cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, researchers aim to uncover the structural features of Artemia's ATP synthase that prevent cell death. The findings could provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies for conditions related to mitochondrial dysfunction in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for conditions involving mitochondrial dysfunction, such as stroke and heart attacks.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of Artemia's resilience are novel, similar research has shown promise in understanding mitochondrial protection in other organisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mnatsakanyan, Nelli — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mnatsakanyan, Nelli
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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.