Population Genetics of Adaptation to Arctic Environments

This component examined how species cope with extreme conditions in arctic latitudes through a multi-disciplinary approach to physiological adaptations. Foci included mammalian hibernation biology; neuroendocrine integration of environmental cues; seasonal regulations of nutrition, energetics, and body temperature; and assessment of stress in animal populations.

This component built on the EPSCoR Phase I development of the UAF DNA Core Lab by acquiring real-time polymerase chain reaction equipment ; a scanner to process microarrays for transcriptional profiling; beta and gamma counters for radio-immunioassay of hormones; upgrades for existing ABI 3100 DNA sequencers; and support for service contracts on existing equipment. Major projects included a computational back-end for fungal-metagenomics; research into systems biology of hibernation; development of a research initiative in avian influenza; and systems biology of torpor.