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The Current

Lemurs could hold the key to human hibernation, scientist says

We look at how the fat-tailed dwarf lemur could hold the secret to human hibernation, and whether that could be the key to deep-space travel.

The fat-tailed dwarf lemur has the ability to hibernate for seven months at a time

CBC Radio ·
Scientists are analysing the genes in the fat-tailed dwarf lemur that allow it to hibernate for seven months at a time. (Shutterstock/Eric Isselee)

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A group of U.S. scientists are exploring whether the genes of the fat-tailed dwarf lemur of Madagascar could hold the key to human hibernation. 

"What the dwarf lemur does is basically suspend the metabolic regulation of body temperature,"  Peter Klopfer explained to The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti.

"It becomes like a snake or a lizard — cold-blooded." 

The dwarf lemur will go into torpor for six to seven months of the year, he added, noting it's the only primate known to have this capability. 

Klopfer is professor emeritus of biology at Duke University in Durham, N.C., where he runs the Duke Lemur Center. The research facility is home to the only captive colony of fat-tailed dwarf lemurs in the world.

Klopfer and his colleagues are studying what they believe to be the seven major genes that allow the fat-tailed dwarf lemurs to enter torpor state. He says these same genes are in humans.

Humans bodies don’t have the ability to go into true hibernation, but they can go into a similar cold, sleep-like state called torpor. (Shutterstock)

His team's research has been noticed by other scientists, who theorize there could be applications in the field of health, as well as helping our bodies cope better with space travel.

To talk about lemurs, hibernation and space travel, The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti spoke with:

  • John Bradford, president and chief operating officer of SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) in Atlanta.
  • Dave Williams, retired Canadian astronaut.
  • Peter Klopfer, professor emeritus of biology at Duke University.

Click 'listen' near the top of this page to hear the full conversation.

Produced by Caro Rolando and John Chipman

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