Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of British Columbia
$143,000.00
Human environmental test chamber
FY 2010-11
Summary
The requested state-of-the-art environmental test chamber facilitates the launch of new research themes within Dr Ainslie's research - the examination of human physiology in controlled climatic extremes during rest, exercise and sleep. The proposed chamber provides a means to systematically alter temperature and/or the degree of hypoxia over a wide range, allowing the study of human adaptation and maladaptation to physiological stresses such as temperature and low oxygen. The requested chamber will allow for continuous exposures for up to two weeks in duration. Historically, field studies, particularly those of longitudinal design, are difficult to control because cold temperatures, dry air, high incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms, inadequate food and fluid intake, exhaustion and resultant psychological stress typically encountered while hiking to, and living at the study location all modify human physiology. These problems make longitudinal studies at extremes of temperature of oxygen difficult; an easily accessible and controlled laboratory environment is necessary for any short and longer term controlled longitudinal study. Moreover, the proposed temperature controlled chamber will also be used as research sleep unit; the chamber will be fitted with a bed to permit these types of studies. There are no dedicated research-only sleep laboratories in Canada; the proposed equipment would certainly set a new Canadian standard for sleep research. This chamber will provide the means to explore the degree to which the endogenous circadian pacemaker contributes to the previously reported diurnal changes in key factors that regulate brain blood flow in humans. Meticulous control of chamber temperature and light with concomitant control of environment conditions will enable the study of the mechanisms that control circadian rhythm fluctuations in brain blood flow regulation. These mechanisms are of profound interest to basic physiologists and clinical scientists alike.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
405920-2011
Name nom
Ainslie, Philip
Department département
Okanagan - Health and Social Development, Faculty of
Organization id
2
Institution établissement
University of British Columbia
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2010
Competition year année de concours
2011
Award amount
143000
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1502
Committee name en
Biological Systems and Functions
Committee name fr
Systèmes et fonctions biologiques
Area of application code
1101
Area of application group en
Health, education and social services
Area of application group fr
Santé publique, éducation et services sociaux
Area of application en
Human health (including medically-related psychological research)
Area of application fr
Santé publique (y compris recherche psychologique liée à la médecine)
Research subject code
6400
Research subject group en
Life sciences research related to human health and disease
Research subject group fr
Sciences de la vie liées à la santé publique et aux maladies humaines
Research subject en
Life sciences research related to human health and disease
Research subject fr
Sciences de la vie liées à la santé publique et aux maladies humaines
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Human environmental test chamber
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The requested state-of-the-art environmental test chamber facilitates the launch of new research themes within Dr Ainslie's research - the examination of human physiology in controlled climatic extremes during rest, exercise and sleep. The proposed chamber provides a means to systematically alter temperature and/or the degree of hypoxia over a wide range, allowing the study of human adaptation and maladaptation to physiological stresses such as temperature and low oxygen. The requested chamber will allow for continuous exposures for up to two weeks in duration. Historically, field studies, particularly those of longitudinal design, are difficult to control because cold temperatures, dry air, high incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms, inadequate food and fluid intake, exhaustion and resultant psychological stress typically encountered while hiking to, and living at the study location all modify human physiology. These problems make longitudinal studies at extremes of temperature of oxygen difficult; an easily accessible and controlled laboratory environment is necessary for any short and longer term controlled longitudinal study. Moreover, the proposed temperature controlled chamber will also be used as research sleep unit; the chamber will be fitted with a bed to permit these types of studies. There are no dedicated research-only sleep laboratories in Canada; the proposed equipment would certainly set a new Canadian standard for sleep research. This chamber will provide the means to explore the degree to which the endogenous circadian pacemaker contributes to the previously reported diurnal changes in key factors that regulate brain blood flow in humans. Meticulous control of chamber temperature and light with concomitant control of environment conditions will enable the study of the mechanisms that control circadian rhythm fluctuations in brain blood flow regulation. These mechanisms are of profound interest to basic physiologists and clinical scientists alike.
