Bruce Klein, MD, professor, chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, was awarded a $2,265,980 grant for the project, “Impact of bat hibernation on metabolism and immunity to infection,” from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study the link between bat hibernation, metabolism, and immunity in the setting of infection. Jose Ayuso Dominguez, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Dermatology, and Melissa Skala, PhD, professor, Morgridge Institute for Research, are co-investigators on this project. The study builds on the idea that bats are essential for the stability of our ecosystem. However, hibernation leaves them vulnerable to infections from pathogens like Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), which has caused the fungal epidemic called white nose syndrome. During hibernation, dysregulation of cell metabolism prevents keratinocytes and neutrophils from developing an efficient defense response against Pd infection. Klein and his research team will explore the relationship between hibernation states, metabolism, and immunity to infection in the setting of white nose syndrome to understand how temperature shapes metabolism and immunity, which will have benefits for mammals including humans. The funding for this grant began in August of this year and will end in July 2030.