Nadja Møbjerg

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Current research

My research activities are on animal anatomy and physiology including studies on the evolution of taxa, organs and molecules with focus on renal organs and extracellular fluid homeostasis. Current focus is on tardigrades (water bears) - microscopic metazoans living in a range of habitats across the globe. These small animals are famous for their ability to survive extreme conditions, such as desiccation and freezing. Tardigrades may respond to such extremes by entering a form of hidden or latent life called cryptobiosis. This condition is currently believed to involve a reversible suspension of metabolism, and the animal can as such be considered dead - as opposed to death, however, metabolism can be restarted. Even in their active states tardigrades may be extremely tolerant of environmental stress, e.g. handling large fluctuations in external salinity. The anatomical, physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying this amazing ability to adapt to extreme conditions are to date largely unknown. A main area of interest in my group currently comprises investigations on tardigrades with emphasis on osmolyte and water regulation associated with adaptations to extreme environments.

  Bachelor and Master projects

• Cryptobiosis and environmental stress tolerance in tardigrades

Selected publications

1. Published

   New insights into survival strategies of tardigrades

   Møbjerg, Nadja & Neves, R., 2021, In: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology. 254, 6 p., 110890.

   Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › Research › peer-review

2. Published

   Research presented at the 14th International Symposium on Tardigrada: progress in studies on water bears

   Møbjerg, Nadja, Michalczyk, Ł., McInnes, S. J. & Christenhusz, M. J. M., 2020, In: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society . 188, 3, p. 655-662

   Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › Research › peer-review

3. Published

   Thermotolerance experiments on active and desiccated states of Ramazzottius varieornatus emphasize that tardigrades are sensitive to high temperatures

   Neves, R. C., Hvidepil, L. K. B., Sørensen-Hygum, T. L., Stuart, R. M. & Møbjerg, Nadja, 2020, In: Scientific Reports. 10, 12 p., 94.

   Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

4. Published

   Comparative transcriptomics suggest unique molecular adaptations within tardigrade lineages

   Kamilari, M., Jørgensen, Aslak, Schiøtt, M. & Møbjerg, Nadja, 2019, In: B M C Genomics. 20, 19 p., 607.

   Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

5. Published

   Morphology and Functional Anatomy

   Møbjerg, Nadja, Jørgensen, Aslak, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg & Cardoso Neves, R. A., 2018, Water Bears: The Biology of Tardigrades. Schill, R. O. (ed.). Springer, p. 57-94 (Zoological Monographs, Vol. 2).

   Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

6. Published

   Comparative investigation of copper tolerance and identification of putative tolerance related genes in tardigrades

   Hygum, T. L., Fobian, D., Kamilari, M., Jørgensen, Aslak, Schiøtt, M., Grosell, M. & Møbjerg, Nadja, 2017, In: Frontiers in Physiology. 8, 10 p., 95.

   Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

7. Published

   Survival in extreme environments – on the current knowledge of adaptations in tardigrades

   Møbjerg, Nadja, Halberg, Kenneth Veland, Jørgensen, Aslak, Persson, D. K., Bjørn, M., Ramløv, H. & Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, 2011, In: Acta Physiologica. 202, 3, p. 409-420 12 p.

   Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › Research › peer-review