Research Into Hibernation
Ecology, ethology, evolution, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of hibernation. Biomedical applications of hibernating mechanisms, e.g. in medicine or space travel, and related disciplines such as biological rhythms, sleep, thermoregulation and hypometabolism.
IHS online research seminar
Waking up to a changing world: Can adaptive thermoregulation help endotherms to respond to rapid environmental change?
Dr. Juila Nowack
Liverpool John Moores University
18th September 2025
Fall 2025 Hibernation Highlights
Explore how convergent evolution in hibernating mammals reveals conserved hypothalamic programs that govern metabolism.
Interesting insights on regulations of lipid metabolism & thermogenesis linked to proteome changes during daily torpor in the Djungarian hamster.
Uncover the functional punch of noncoding DNA, as loss of single cis-elements in mice rewires genes, metabolism, and torpor.
Steinwand et al. Conserved noncoding cis elements associated with hibernation modulate metabolic and behavioral adaptations in mice. Science – July 2025
For more insights on protective electrophysiological adaptations in bears, check out this interesting study with biomimetic potential for human therapy.
Interested to know more on the extreme seasonal variation in aerobic capacity undergo by a small hibernating marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides, in South America?
Camus et al. Extreme seasonal variation in aerobic capacity in a hibernator. Journal of Experimental Biology – August 2025
Interested to learn more on the molecular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial-derived gene expression during hibernation?
Check this interesting review on the current knowledge of the signaling networks underlying the relation between torpor and reproduction.
Vander & Correa. Biological mechanisms balancing torpor and reproduction in mammals. Endocrinology – September 2025
News
Hibernation for humans? Here’s why you’ll want it too
What if you could temporarily pause your life? Where during that break, you wouldn’t age a minute, could lie in bed for months without losing an ounce of muscle, and also be protected from dangerous radiation and scary viruses. Sound unreal? Biologist Roelof Hut of the University of Groningen is trying to unravel the mechanism behind hibernation. If successful, it could have countless applications for humans.
Board of the society
Treasurer
Hjalmar Bouma
Interests: immunological aspects of hibernation for application in personalized acute medicine.
Secretary
Jessica Healy-LaPrice
Interests: ecophysiology of energy balance in ground squirrels.
IHS2024 organizer
Jim Staples
Interests: mitochondria in energy savings and oxidative damage during hibernation.
Member, content provider
Genshiro Sunagawa
Interests: every aspect of hibernation that may result in the clinical application of active hypometabolism.
Member, communication
Sylvain Giroud
Interests: ecophysiology of Metabolic Downstates. Adaptive Responses to Global Change. Biomimicry.
Member, training
Shona Wood
Interests: Torpor arousal cycling. Photoperiodism. Circannual rhythms. Neuroendocrine mechanisms.
Member, webmaster
Chun-Xia Yi
Interests: neuron-glia interaction in neuroendocrinology and chronobiology.
Hibernation Researchers World-Wide
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