Adaptation to high altitude has fascinated physiologists for over 130 years, since Paul Bert (1833-1886) proved that the deleterious effects on animals were the result of low partial pressures of oxygen, but metabolic adaptations to hypoxia have been difficult to demonstrate.

To examine adaptations to this potent stressor we use a powerful comparative approach using related species from the genus Phyllotis from the Andes and Peromyscus species from North America along with traditional models to examine acclimation to hypoxia.

Sample publications:

Schippers, M.-P., Ramirez, O., Arana, M., Bernal, P.P., and McClelland, G.B. (2012) Increase in carbohydrate utilization in high-altitude Andean mice. Current Biology. 22 (24):2350–2354.

Cheviron, Z.A., Bachman, G.C., Connaty, A.D., McClelland, G.B., Storz, J.F. (2012) Regulatory changes contribute to the adaptive enhancement of thermogenic capacity in high-altitude deer mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA., 109(22): 8635-40.

Lau, D., Mahalingam, S., Connaty, A.D., Wall, N., Cheviron, Z.A., Storz, J.F., Scott, G.R., and McClelland, G.B. (2017) Acclimation to hypoxia increases carbohydrate use during exercise in high-altitude deer mice. Am. J. Physiol. 312: R400–R411

Beaudry, J.L., and McClelland, G.B. (2010) Thermogenic responses in CD-1 mice after combined chronic hypoxia and cold acclimation. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B. 157:301-309.