The goose-beaked whales, known as beaked whales, are true specialists in extreme dives.
They can reach depths of 2,980 meters and stay underwater for up to 222 minutes, becoming a unique biological model to study hypoxia resistance, that is, oxygen deprivation.
This phenomenon, documented by National Geographic, has captured the interest of scientists who see in these animals a source of inspiration to treat human diseases such as stroke and cancer.
A scientific challenge in deep waters
Beaked whales spend about 90% of their lives in abyssal waters, surfacing only for brief moments. This greatly complicates the collection of samples. Physiologist Jillian Wisse, from Duke University, leads a team that conducts expeditions off the coast of North Carolina, where each sighting represents a valuable scientific opportunity.
During these short intervals on the surface, researchers collect skin and blubber samples using darts. The cells obtained are cultivated in the laboratory and exposed to low-oxygen conditions, simulating the dives to analyze their biological response. In cases of strandings, access to internal organs is obtained, expanding the field of study.
Extraordinary cellular adaptations
Initial results show that beaked whale skin cells maintain efficient oxygen consumption even under hypoxic conditions, unlike human, bovine, or dolphin cells.
In addition, genetic studies reveal variants in mitochondrial genes that optimize energy production, allowing these cetaceans to sustain vital functions in environments with very little oxygen.
The evolution of beaked whales
Shared evolutionary strategies in marine mammals
Physiologist Lars Folkow, from the Arctic University of Norway, describes how seals have twice the blood volume of humans and carry more hemoglobin.
Sperm whales can have blood representing up to 20% of their body weight, while whales have high levels of myoglobin, a protein that stores oxygen in muscles, facilitating prolonged dives.
During these dives, metabolism slows down: the heart rate can drop to less than 10 beats per minute, prioritizing the flow of oxygen to the brain and essential organs, while decreasing towards less urgent systems like the digestive system.
The brain under pressure: how marine neurons survive
The brain is particularly vulnerable to hypoxia, so Wisse’s team studies stranded beaked whale brain samples to understand how their neurons function under extreme conditions. In parallel, Folkow investigates neuroglobin, a brain protein that protects against oxidative damage.
In whales, the genetic activity associated with this protein is much higher than in terrestrial species like cows, demonstrating differentiated evolutionary strategies to face hostile environments.
Developing medical applications
Medical interest is growing with researchers like Jason Somarelli, also from Duke University, who studies how marine mammals control inflammation during hypoxia. Understanding these mechanisms could inspire the development of drugs that mimic these cellular responses.
Although medications based on whale biology have not yet moved past the theoretical stage, research is also focused on longevity, cancer resistance, and DNA repair in species like the Greenland whale, with an eye on future human applications.
Science, ethics, and interspecies bond
Collecting live brain samples remains a technical and ethical challenge, but every approach to these animals represents a significant scientific advance.
And furthermore: it reaffirms the deep bond between humans and cetaceans, reminding us that evolution can teach us to survive, adapt, and heal.