Mitochondrial metabolic adjustments of birds to high environmental temperatures

In this research project, I investigate the developmental responses of endotherms to thermal stress under the selective pressure of global warming, with a particular focus on the mechanistic links between elevated temperatures and body size reduction. The project's objective is to unpack the intricate metabolic trade-offs that these endotherms navigate between thermoregulation and growth when faced with natural heatwaves. Through an integrative analysis of the aerobic metabolism, RBC proteome and cellular stress response, these studies are designed to reveal how elevated environmental temperatures influence developmental trajectories. By focusing on slow-developing birds —specifically shearwaters and penguins— in their natural habitats, the research aims to contribute to an understanding of the physiological strategies employed by these species to cope with thermal challenges and the implications for their survival in an era of climate change.