We have sought to address several questions about the ability of high-altitude mice to stay warm in the cold and oxygen depleted environment at high altitudes: 1) What are the roles of plasticity and evolved genetic effects in the enhanced thermogenic capacity of highland deer mice? 2) What are the physiological and genetic mechanisms that underlie population-level differences in thermogenic capacity? 3) Have evolutionarily independent high-altitude populations evolved the same physiological and genetic solutions to maintain high thermogenic capacity?
Impact
1. Fundamental science discovery. 2. Establishing international collaboration. 3. Public outreach in information nights on the challenges of life at high altitudes.
Student Experience
Several students and postdocs have been involved in research carried out as part of the ongoing collaboration, and have thus published research and worked towards their degree requirements. Several have visited partnering labs in the USA, and have been involved in joint research expeditions in Colorado and Nebraska. They have also presented their work at international conferences in Canada, USA, United Kingdom, and Sweden.
Countries
United States of America
Impact
Research
Institutional Partner(s)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Montana
