Translating metabolic suppression to non-hibernators using A1 adenosine receptors

Spaceflight poses unique and significant hazards; the maintenance of human health remains a large part of NASA’s strategic goals and work remains to be done if we wish to maintain a long‐term presence in space.

The effects of ionizing radiation and bone density loss are some of the primary health related problems which need to be addressed. Hibernating animals possess a unique ability to maintain bone density during extended periods of disuse and have been reported to have remarkable resistance to ionizing radiation.

The purpose of the proposed research is to translate aspects of thermoregulation and metabolism reduction in a hibernating species to a non hibernating species in order to devise alternative methods of preventing DNA damage and loss of bone density in astronauts.