Monday, August 19, 2019

Michael Tift, assistant professor of biology and marine biology, is the lead investigator of a multi-institutional team of researchers focused on studying how wild and captive elephant seals regulate the production of carbon monoxide. The data they collect could help inform medical practitioners about potential treatment options for certain health issues, like heart attack or stroke.
 
The project is funded by a $957,056 National Science Foundation grant to UNCW, Sonoma State University, University of the Pacific, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, San Diego State University and University of California San Diego. Field research will be conducted in California, on wild northern elephant seal populations, with researchers also working with zoological facilities and aquariums to acquire samples. The project began in August and will run for three years.
 
The team of scientists hopes to discover how carbon monoxide might play a role in the protection of tissues against the harsh conditions the seals face while diving.
 
“Carbon monoxide is considered by many to be a strictly toxic gas, produced from sources such as car exhaust and cigarette smoke,” said Tift. “However, not many know that carbon monoxide is also naturally produced in the body as a byproduct of red blood cell turnover. In recent laboratory studies, it has been shown that exposure to low or moderate concentrations of carbon monoxide can have protective properties like anti-inflammation, which is why some pharmaceutical companies are developing drugs that release it.”
 
The northern elephant seal is currently the only known animal that produces levels of carbon monoxide similar to the concentrations linked to tissue protection.
 
“Understanding more about the role of carbon monoxide in the elephant seal, how it might be protecting the seal’s tissues during diving and how the seal regulates carbon monoxide levels could help inform others that are attempting to use it as a treatment option,” said Tift.
 
As a relatively new Seahawk (Tift came to UNCW just six months ago), he is already working hard to integrate his passion and expertise into our local community. Several UNCW undergraduates will be involved in the project, research findings will be discussed in his courses, and he hopes to have the opportunity to give public talks and inform the community about the important work going on at UNCW.
 
Fostering collaborative partnerships and advancing research are key priorities of the university’s Strategic Plan. 
 
-- Christina Schechtman
 
#RESEARCH
#CAS

Michael Tift