It has become well established that the gut microbiome (microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract) influences many aspects of host animal physiology, but its role in helping animals cope in challenging environments has received relatively little attention.
The gut microbiome can influence mammalian thermogenesis (heat generation) in multiple ways. The microbiome can communicate with thermogenic tissues of the host, such as by producing metabolites that enter the circulation and regulate thermogenic adipose tissues. The microbiome itself can generate heat and make an important contribution to whole-body thermogenesis. This source of body heat might be extremely beneficial in the hypoxic environment at high altitude, because the hindgut lumen is anoxic and gut microbes may produce heat without requiring oxygen.
We are examining whether plastic or evolved changes in the gut microbiome contribute to adaptive variation in thermogenic capacity in deer mice native to high altitude. We hope to thus make important steps forward in understanding the role of the gut microbiome in adapting to changing and challenging environments.
Scott Lab @ McMaster 