Big Data Analyses To Identify Physiologic Adaptive Responses In The American Black Bear (Ursus Americanus): From Basic Biological Knowledge To Clinical Applications

Abstract

The purpose of our research investigations is primarily to characterize the cardiovascular and ecological adaptations of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) during extended periods of overwintering. The over-arching goal of these is to provide new insights into clinical solutions for human patients. Hibernation physiology has long been of interest to many research groups, and several species have been studied. Here we have an incredible opportunity to utilize a bioinformatics and “big data” approach, in addition to clinical diagnostics, to study the American black bear. In general, it is considered that the secrets of the bears’ physiologic modifications during hibernation are of scientific importance due to a variety of potential applications, from medicine to ecology to applied basic research. The first series of studies aims to investigate elicited blood chemistries and metabolomics of the black bear during denning. Part two of my thesis will focus on a comprehensive literature review performed and a model for administering pharmaceutical compounds to the pericardial space surrounding the heart. In addition, to models that can be used to test paradigms and compounds for their potential translational applications: i.e., first, those in cardiac surgery or cardiac transplantation and a methods paper to test compounds to identify their effect on cardiac arrhythmias, overall function and transplant viability. I will also describe an evaluated model of ex vivo lung perfusion as a platform to test these pharmaceutical agents and compounds in lung transplantation. Part three of my dissertation will focus on a set of investigations designed to detail data collected from implantable cardiac monitors to evaluate cardiovascular adaptions to hibernation. The overall goals of these studies is to Further identify unique modifications of cardiac and respiratory responses associated with black bear hibernation, by utilizing bioinformatics methodologies to analyze the data we continue to collect from these animals utilizing multiple methodologies.