Physiological Adaptations to Prolonged Fasting and Sleep Apnea in Elephant Seals, the Role of Oxidative Stress: Dissertation defense by Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina

Lecture/Seminar - Natural Sciences | January 25 | 10-11 a.m. | 298 Science and Engineering Building 1

Location:  5200 North Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95343

Speaker: Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina

Sponsor: Quantatative

Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina gives his dissertation denfense, entitled "Physiological Adaptations to Prolonged Fasting and Sleep Apnea in Elephant Seals: the Role of Oxidative Stress."

While diving, seals are repeatedly exposed to hypoxemia and ischemia/reperfusion. While on land, seals experience sleep apnea and prolonged periods of absolute food and water deprivation. Prolonged fasting, sleep apnea, hypoxemia and ischemia/reperfusion increase oxidant production and oxidative stress in terrestrial mammals.

This project investigates whether prolonged fasting and sleep apnea increase oxidative stress in elephant seals and explores the adaptations seals evolved to cope with increased oxidant production.

The findings contribute to expanding our knowledge of the evolution of antioxidant defenses and adaptive responses to oxidative stress. Understanding the mechanisms that allow adapted mammals to avoid oxidative damage has the potential to advance our knowledge of oxidative stress-induced pathologies and to enhance the translative value of biomedical therapies in the long term.

Event Contact: Professor Rudy Ortiz, Assistant professor, rortiz@ucmerced.edu, 209-228-2964