Photo of Dr Michael Berenbrink

Dr Michael Berenbrink Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer Evolution, Ecology & Behaviour

    Research

    Research Interest 1

    I am interested in the diversity of physiological mechanisms that animals employ in different environments or with different life-styles. The focus of my work is on the respiratory system of vertebrates, particularly the evolution of blood oxygen and carbon dioxide transport mechanisms and haemoglobin function.

    Research Grants

    7th International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry - ICCPB

    ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)

    August 2007

    Evolution of stress activated Na+, K+, Cl- cotransport in bird red blood cells.

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

    March 2006 - May 2009

    Temperature sensitivity of oxygen transport in Atlantic cod

    CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE SCIENCE (CEFAS) (UK)

    October 2011 - September 2015

    Historical reconstructions of evolving physiological complexity

    ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)

    September 2006

    Convergent Evolution of Integrated Systems: Vertebrate Haemoglobins, their Intracellular Environment and Whole Animal Function.

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

    February 2003 - February 2006

    Research Collaborations

    Dr. Colin Brauner

    External: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Gas exchange and transport in blood of primitive fishes

    Prof. Mikko Nikinmaa

    External: University of Turku

    Mechanism of sensing molecular oxygen in fish red blood cells and regulation of oxygen-sensitive membrane ion transport

    Phil Watts

    Internal

    Developement of a DNA based marker to distinguish haemoglobin genotypes in Atlantic cod from fresh and historical material in museum or other collections to assess effects of global warming on population differences in cod stocks

    Ian Prior

    Internal

    Electron microscopic analysis of haemoglobin polymeristaion in fishes

    Prof. Pat Walsh

    External: University of Miami

    Red blood cell physiology of subtropic marine and freshwater fish species

    Prof. Tobias Wang

    External: University of Aarhus, Denmark

    Comparative physiology of reptilian and avian red blood cells.

    Andrew R. Cossins

    Internal

    Applying analytical methods from Evolutionary Biology to Comparative Animal Physiology. Evolution of delta-9 desaturases in vertebrates. Analysis of myoglobin function in non-muscle tissues. Fate of target genes after whole genome duplication events.

    Prof. Norbert Heisler

    External: Humboldt University Berlin, Germany

    Mechanism of sensing molecular oxygen in fish red blood cells and regulation of oxygen-sensitive membrane ion transport