Hypoxia-inducible factors, our sensitive sensors of oxygen

Our cells are in permanent flux. Not only do they continually uptake energetic molecules and oxygen to generate energy, but even in the state of “rest” they are always busy with maintenance. Old proteins are constantly being broken down (in a specialised organelle called the proteasome) and to replace them new proteins are constantly being …

Hypoxia is a part of life

Hypoxia, the insufficient supply of oxygen, is something that almost every oxygen using organism since the dawn of life encountered in its lifetime. Ever woke up to a numb arm at night? That is hypoxia. Ever grew a little? The hypoxia in the new tissue directs your blood vessels to grow in order to maintain …