High-altitude medical research may seem relevant only to athletes or mountaineers, but its findings have significant implications for the general population. The reduced oxygen levels experienced at high altitude closely mimic the conditions felt by patients suffering with heart and lung diseases. By studying how the body responds to these challenging environments, researchers can develop more effective treatments for people suffering from similar oxygen-deprivation issues at sea level.
The concept behind the Scottish charity APEX (Altitude Physiology Expeditions) stems from these critical discoveries. Researchers realised that exploring the body’s adaptations to low oxygen levels, or hypoxia, in high-altitude settings could provide valuable insights into medical conditions, particularly those where patients struggle with oxygen deficiencies.
Established in 2001 by medical students at the University of Edinburgh, APEX has since conducted several research expeditions to Bolivia, making significant contributions to the field of altitude physiology. APEX is distinctive in that it actively involves students as volunteers, providing them with valuable, hands-on experience in medical research. The upcoming APEX 7 expedition, scheduled for the summer of 2025, is set to be the largest in the charity’s history, involving up to 100 participants. This team will travel to La Paz, Bolivia, and conduct research at a base camp located at an elevation of 4,700 metres.
The focus of APEX 7 will be to investigate how hypoxia affects various aspects of human physiology. The research team, led by eight senior medical students who previously volunteered on APEX expeditions, will conduct projects examining hormone regulation, genetic adaptations, and the impact of high altitude on conditions like eczema. A major objective of the research is to understand how hypoxia affects the body at the cellular level, with the potential to improve treatments for conditions where oxygen delivery is compromised.
Of course, managing an expedition of this scale presents numerous challenges. The team must navigate complex logistics, including international travel, establishing a remote laboratory at high altitude, and ensuring the accurate collection of research data. However, the potential rewards are substantial. The findings from APEX expeditions have already contributed to a deeper understanding of how the body responds to hypoxia, with some results published in leading medical journals.
For the average person, high-altitude research holds considerable importance. Whether it’s leading to the development of better treatments for hospital patients or ensuring safer travel to high-altitude destinations, this work has real-world applications. Through APEX 7, medical students will continue to push the boundaries of our knowledge about human physiology, driving forward innovations that can improve healthcare for all.
Keen to find out more? Check out APEX on social media @altitudeapex, or visit their website www.altitude.org. Alternatively, You can reach out to the team via email at apex7@altitude.org.
Organising committee, left to right, Ben Harrison (Head of Funding, Grants, and Sponsorship), Ella McElnea (Head of Volunteers and Well-being), Cami Maezelle (Head of Funding, Grants, and Sponsorship), Anya Tan (Head of Research), Ella Andrea (Head of Volunteers and Well-being), Cameron Norton (Expedition Leader), David Geddes (Expedition Leader) and Colette Revadillo (Head of Communications, not pictured)
Article written by Colette Revadillo, a 5th year medical student at the University of Edinburgh and Head of Communication for APEX 7.
Article edited by Eleanor Stamp, a PhD student at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, and an Online Editor for EUSci.
