Investigation of thermogenic adaptations through the study of indigenous diving populations

Abstract

The limiting The limiting factor for operational dive length and capability has increasingly shifted to the physiological constraints of human divers including effects of gas exchange on cognitive function, avoidance of decompression sickness, and thermal concerns affecting physical performance, particularly in peripheral digits. The key to circumventing these constraints may be found in populations that have spent thousands of years adapting to overcome precisely the same physiological stressors; that is, traditional breath-hold divers. In this project, we intend to investigate two such populations in order to discover pharmacological and behavioral approaches to enhancing hypoxia and hypothermia tolerance in non-adapted divers. We will accomplish this through whole genome sequencing, physiological investigations of suspected adaptations, and behavioral data paired with simultaneous measurements ofphysiological function.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jun 17, 2020
Source ID
N000142012556

Entities

People

  • Melissa Ilardo

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Utah

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Marine Mammal Biology
  • Systems Analysis and Design