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Hibernation is a state of suppressed metabolism that allows animals to overcome unfavourable conditions.

This society supports research on the mechanism and applications of hibernation.

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.

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IHS online research seminar

Neurophysiological Adaptations of Hibernation: The Solution to Environmental Challenges

Professor Elena Gracheva, Yale School of Medicine.

21st January 2025

News

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

Chair

Roelof Hut

Interests: human chronobiology, biological rhythms, and photoperiodism.

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Treasurer

Hjalmar Bouma

Interests: immunological aspects of hibernation for application in personalized acute medicine.

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Secretary

Jessica Healy-LaPrice

Interests: ecophysiology of energy balance in ground squirrels.

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IHS2024 organizer

Jim Staples

Interests: mitochondria in energy savings and oxidative damage during hibernation.

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Member, content provider

Genshiro Sunagawa

Interests: every aspect of hibernation that may result in the clinical application of active hypometabolism.

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Member, communication

Sylvain Giroud

Interests: ecophysiology of Metabolic Downstates. Adaptive Responses to Global Change. Biomimicry.

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Member, training

Shona Wood

Interests: Torpor arousal cycling. Photoperiodism. Circannual rhythms. Neuroendocrine mechanisms.

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Member, webmaster

Chun-Xia Yi

Interests: neuron-glia interaction in neuroendocrinology and chronobiology.

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Hibernation Researchers World-Wide

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