This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.To maintain energy and water balance, nectar-feeding birds show traits that are associated with diabetes mellitus and renal failure in humans and other mammals. Although these findings are intriguing to comparative physiologists, they are of limited practical use to human disease researchers because the avian osmoregulatory and metabolic systems are too divergent from that of mammals. There are, however, many mammal species that feed on nectar and little is known about their metabolic and renal physiology. We are conducting several small studies designed to reveal if nectar-feeding mammals show traits similar to those found in birds. Based on how they meet the challenges associated with their diet, this work will help determine if nectar-feeding mammals can be used to inform current research that leads to effective treatment and prevention of both diabetes mellitus and renal failure.
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