Understanding how elephant seals resist oxidative stress
Official title: Leveraging evolutionary adaptations to uncover mechanisms of oxidative stress resistance
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10785198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how elephant seals can handle stress and damage to their cells when they dive for a long time, and by comparing their cells to human cells, researchers hope to find new ways to help people deal with age-related health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $414,521 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG084993-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10785198 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing age-related diseases or conditions linked to oxidative stress, such as neurodegeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to oxidative stress or age-related degeneration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique ability of elephant seals to withstand oxidative stress and cell death caused by lipid peroxidation. By studying cultured cells from these seals, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that protect them from damage during extreme conditions, such as prolonged diving. The approach involves comparing these cells to human cells to identify potential therapeutic targets for age-related diseases and tissue degeneration. The findings could lead to new strategies for enhancing oxidative stress resistance in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for age-related diseases and conditions associated with oxidative stress.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding oxidative stress mechanisms, but this approach using elephant seals is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Olzmann, James a — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Olzmann, James a
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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.