Allyson Hindle (Life Sciences) recently received a National Science Foundation Polar Programs grant, titled "Role of Endothelial Cell Activation in Hypoxia Tolerance of an Elite Diver, the Weddell Seal." In collaboration with Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina from the Universit of California, Berkeley, the project will evaluate the underlying processes in the Weddell seal’s physiology that protect this species from the consequences of diving. The work will combine laboratory experiments where cells that line the blood vessels will be exposed to conditions of low oxygen, and compared against markers detected in the blood of diving seals in Antarctica. The award will support lab work as well as two seasons of Antarctic field research. UNLV will receive $568,000 as part of the grant.
