How Do Bears Avoid Blood Clots During Hibernation?

Bears are remarkable creatures who can sleep for months! They retreat to caves and come out with no health issues after months of immobility.

This would be impossible for us humans because when we go through prolonged periods of inactivity, we develop blood clots also known as Venous Thromboembolism, which can be deadly. But bears seem immune to this threat. What genetic mechanisms protect them?

To understand this mystery, a group of researchers conducted a study¹ to uncover the microRNA profiles of hibernating black bears.

MicroRNA are small regulatory molecules that play a crucial role in temporary down regulation of gene expression and might be key to the bears’ resistance to blood clots. In order to study these, scientists faced many challenges and used groundbreaking technologies to overcome them.

The Quest Begins: Bear Biopsies and MicroRNA Sequencing

Scientists carefully anesthetized the bears to safely perform needle biopsies, collecting both blood and kidney cells. Portable ultrasound devices aided in the extraction of these biological materials.

Once the samples were secured, the researchers returned to their laboratories to begin the intricate process of microRNA sequencing. This data revealed extensive genetic information, explaining the unique adaptations of hibernating bears.

Challenges

Research of this magnitude is not without its hurdles. Sample collection came with complexities, such as samples arriving months apart, some in winter and some in summer. Technology evolves daily and procedures change, so consistently handling the data can be a challenge.

Additionally, the complexity of bear genomes required substantial computational resources. Manual data analysis would be impractical if not impossible, so they needed sophisticated, automated solutions.

Enter Via Foundry

The scientists used Via Scientific’s (*) Via Foundry, a powerful bioinformatics platform developed at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Via Foundry seamlessly integrated bear microRNA data from different sources, mitigating batch effects and ensuring consistent measurements.

Via Foundry’s user-friendly interface streamlined the construction and execution of complex data analysis pipelines, enhancing both efficiency and reproducibility. Via Foundry greatly sped up the analysis of the data by utilizing cloud computing and parallel processing, and providing timely insights into the bears’ genetic adaptations. Version tracking and validation features further ensured that the research findings were reliable and replicable.

What does Via Foundry do?

Via Foundry uses artificial intelligence, metadata management, and advanced analytics to streamline data analysis workflows for researchers in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and beyond.

By automating repetitive tasks and providing sophisticated analytical tools, ViaFoundry empowers researchers to extract meaningful information from biological data with speed and precision.

Breakthrough Discoveries in Bear MicroRNAs

The analysis revealed that bear microRNAs played a critical role in regulating energy transport and preventing blood clot formation during hibernation.

This discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding hibernation mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications in humans. By manipulating these microRNAs, researchers could develop new treatments for metabolic disorders, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Comparative studies between bear and human microRNAs offer promising new avenues for research.

From Bear Caves to Medical Breakthroughs

Scientists are dedicated to advancing our understanding of biology and medicine, and they require advanced tools to succeed. Via Foundry, with its AI-driven capabilities, has proven to be an essential ally in this journey.

As we uncover the secrets of hibernating bears, we gain valuable insights that could revolutionize medical treatments for humans. This research brings us one step closer to solving complex health issues, illustrating the profound impact of innovative technology in scientific discovery.

(*) Via Scientific, Inc., a new Cambridge-based technology and AI company, has launched Via Foundry, a multi-omics accelerator platform designed to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. Originally developed over a decade at UMass Chan Medical School by scientists, Via Foundry is now exclusively commercialized by Via Scientific. The company was founded by a team of experts including Melissa J. Moore, PhD, Alper Kucukural, PhD, Manuel Garber, PhD, Jim Crowley, and Janet Kosloff.

Via Foundry automates the complex data and analytical tasks involved in multi-omics research with features like a drag-and-drop pipeline, metadata building functionality, and customizable analytics, eliminating the need for coding. This platform ensures data is shareable, reusable, and reproducible, allowing researchers to focus on core scientific insights and therapeutic breakthroughs.

Via Scientific aims to support biotech, pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and academic universities while enhancing the AI capabilities of the Foundry platform.

1. A Translational Model for Venous Thromboembolism: MicroRNA Expression in Hibernating Black Bears by Amanda Fazzalari, MD, Giacomo Basadonna, MD, PhD, Alper Kucukural, PhD, Kahraman Tanriverdi, PhD, Milka Koupenova, PhD, Natalie Pozzi, MD, Jahnavi Kakuturu, MD, Ann-Kristin U. Friedrich, MD, Ron Korstanje, PhD, Nicholas Fowler, MS, Jerrold L. Belant, PhD, Dean E. Beyer Jr., PhDh, Marjory B. Brooks, DVM, Eric W. Dickson, MD, Meghan Blackwood, BS, Chris Mueller, PhD, J. Alexander Palesty, MD, Jane E. Freedman, MD, Mitchell A. Cahan, MD, MBA