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
Hibernation, climate change and adaptation: lessons from a South American hibernator
Dr. Roberto Nespolo
Universidad Austral de Chile
6th January 2026
News
Proceedings of the 17th International Hibernation Symposium: Life in Changing Winters
Hosted in July 2024 in Mt. Tremblant, Québec, the meeting brought together 115 delegates from 16 countries to share research on hibernation, thermal biology, and adaptation to extreme environments. This Special Collection in the Canadian Journal of Zoology reflects the breadth of the meeting – from field ecophysiology to cellular mechanisms and emerging biomedical opportunities.News
Hibernation translation research – “Could hibernation extend life or even save it?”
Winter 2025-2026 Hibernation Highlights
Learn about complete opposing responses to global warming in two hibernating bat species
Krivek et al. One Species Hibernates Shorter, the Other Longer: Rapid but Opposing Responses to Warming Climate in Two Sympatric Bat Species. Global Change Biology – October 2025
Interesting insights from hypothalamic transcriptomes in Arctic ground squirrels
Deal et al. The transcriptomes of hypothalamic micropunches reveal sex differences in regulatory processes across hibernation in the Arctic ground squirrel. Physiological Genomics – October 2025
Interested to know more about body condition and life history traits in a hibernator?
Allison et al. Seasonal body mass dynamics mediate life-history trade-offs in a hibernating mammal. Journal of Animal Ecology – October 2025
Discover how New Mexico jumping mice optimize their hibernation behavior to survive the winter!
Zahratka et al. Digging for cold: how temperature and depth determine hibernacula selection for a small mammalian hibernator, the New Mexico Jumping Mouse (Zapus luteus). Journal of Mammalogy – October 2025
Uncover the complex process of erythropoiesis during hibernation
Lizorkina et al. Features of Erythropoiesis in Long-Tailed Ground Squirrels Urocitellus undulatus at Arousal from Hibernation. Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry & Physiology – November 2025
Telomeres & cognition in edible dormice – How does that work?
Lammert et al. Telomere length, hibernation, and cognitive function in young edible dormice (Glis glis). European Journal of Wildlife Research – November 2025
Make sure to read this intriguing piece of work on revisited rheostasis in hibernators
Wood. Perspective: rheostasis revised – hibernation and tanycytes. Journal of Comparative Physiology B – November 2025
Hibernation Adaptations as great examples of Zoobiquity
Drew. Hibernation-Inspired Innovations in Biomedicine: Addressing Aging, Chronic Diseases, and Critical Care. Open Biology – December 2025
Discover how thirsty hibernation can fuel new avenue for human obesity
Johnson et al. Water scarcity and conservation and their role in obesity in nature and in humans. Journal of internal Medicine – December 2025
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.
IHS2027 organizer
Matteo Cerri
Interests: inducing hibernation-like states in non-hibernators including humans.
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 in human.
Hibernation Researchers World-Wide
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