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
Toward Clinical Applications of Active Hypometabolism: Hibernation Study Using Mice
Dr. Genshiro A. Sunagawa
Laboratory for Hibernation Biology
15th May 2025
Summer 2026 Hibernation Highlights
Learn about how hibernating chipmunks preserve spermatogenesis fueled through glucose and lipid breakdown during winter. Wang et al. Persistent testicular glycogenolysis and active lipid metabolism during torpor in hibernating Siberian chipmunks. Journal of Thermal Biology – April 2026
Interesting insights about a temperate-zone bat’s active mating extents into spring for potential reproduction before migration. Mathgen et al. Reproductive timing in bats: evidence of spring mating following hibernation. Mammalian Biology – April 2026
Discover how hibernating rodents protect their brain against ischemia-reperfusion & hypoxia injuries! Ruixin et al. Candidate Mechanisms of Cerebral Ischemia/Hypoxia Tolerance: Insights from Hibernating Rodents. Neurochemical Research– May 2026
Interested to read how Bergmann’s rule applies to species using contrasted thermoregulatory behaviors? Moelter et al. Examining mammalian thermoregulation clines across North America using Bergmann’s rule. Journal of Comparative Physiology B – May 2026
Read another cool study on how a snail-derived molecule can offer some cardioprotective virtues. Piao et al. Discovery of a snail hibernation-inducer offering hibernation-like cardioprotection through metabolic rewiring and autophagy in mice. Nature Communication – June 2026
Make sure to read this new review on metabolic aspects of hibernation physiology. Tian et al. Mechanisms of energy metabolism reprogramming and homeostasis maintenance in overwintering hibernating animals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science – June 2026
Excited to discover how squirrels’ immergence can be monitored through changes in daily behavior? Vasilieva et al. Telemetry reveals a stereotyped behavioral syndrome preceding hibernation onset in a wild rodent. Behavioral Ecology – June 2026
Learn how huddling shapes heterothermy expression in dormice during development! Charlanne et al. Huddling and food availability shape seasonal torpor and energetics of juvenile garden dormice. iScience – June 2026
Discover whether and how torpor interacts with circadian function. Hitrec et al. Clocks slide rather than freeze during torpor in the mouse. iScience – June 2026
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.
Home page
Secretary
Jessica Healy-LaPrice
Interests: ecophysiology of energy balance in ground squirrels.
IHS2027 organizer
Matteo Cerri
Interests: Investigating hibernation and methods to induce it in non‑hibernators.
Home page
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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