If we can harness the unique adaptability of bat blood during hibernation, astronauts may be able to endure decades-long flights to other stars in the universe.
A potential solution for space travel is hibernation, as scientists believe this method could help astronauts withstand long journeys between stars. NASA has been exploring this concept for many years, even studying the hibernation model of Arctic ground squirrels. However, research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by a team of German experts, led by Gerald Kerth from the University of Greifswald, focused on bats to investigate effective hibernation abilities, as reported by Interesting Engineering on November 27.
Nyctalus noctula is one of the hibernating bat species. (Photo: EUNIS).
Kerth and colleagues studied the role of erythrocytes, a type of specialized red blood cell, in the hibernation process. They conducted a comprehensive analysis using erythrocytes from both hibernating bats (Nyctalus noctula) and non-hibernating bats (Rousettus aegypticus), as well as human blood samples. Understanding how these blood cells adjust during hibernation is crucial, as hibernating animals still need to transport oxygen to tissues even when their body temperature significantly decreases.
The research team found that blood cells changed shape in response to variations in pressure and blood vessel size. This prompted them to investigate whether extreme conditions during hibernation could trigger changes in blood cells. They discovered that when the internal temperature of hibernating species dropped from 37.2 to approximately 22.8 degrees Celsius, the erythrocyte structure of all tested species underwent significant changes. The cells became less elastic and more viscous, revealing physiological adaptations to conserve energy in cold conditions.
The study also highlighted a key difference. While erythrocytes in bats continued to change at temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius, human blood cells responded more slowly. This finding demonstrates that bats possess unique adaptations that enable them to endure extreme cold environments, a characteristic that could be leveraged for potential applications in humans.
Hibernation is a critical biological strategy for many mammals, allowing them to conserve energy and survive during times of scarce resources. If humans want to travel to nearby stars like Proxima Centauri, which is 4.24 light-years away, even at speeds close to the speed of light, the journey could last for decades. Therefore, hibernation may be necessary for future space missions.
While the application of hibernation for space travel is a long-term goal, the research findings could revolutionize medicine. Scientists believe that understanding how to manipulate the mechanical properties of red blood cells can optimize drug circulation.
