Descrizione del progetto
Effetti delle luci notturne sull’orologio circadiano
I ritmi circadiani dettano lo schema dei nostri giorni e delle nostre notti. È l’orologio interno del corpo che regola il ciclo sonno-veglia nelle 24 ore. L’invenzione della lampadina elettrica e la conseguente esposizione alla luce di notte ha un lato oscuro: può disturbare il nostro orologio biologico. Il progetto DiurnalHealth, finanziato dall’UE, studierà i meccanismi che guidano il nucleo soprachiasmatico (SCN), il segnatempo centrale presente nei mammiferi, nell’uomo e in altre specie diurne (attive durante il giorno). Il progetto verificherà l’ipotesi che i meccanismi differiscano tra specie diurne e notturne e identificherà le somiglianze e le differenze per quanto riguarda la risposta a luce, sincronizzazione neuronale, output e risposta all’attività fisica.
Obiettivo
Due to a significant increase in the use of artificial light in our 24h economy, the biological clocks of all living organisms, including humans, are severely disrupted. Many severe health disorders are consequences of clock disruption such as diabetes, sleep/mood disorders, cardiovascular disease, and immune dysfunction. The central timekeeper in mammals is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and the mechanisms by which light disrupts integrity of the SCN has been well investigated in nocturnal species. In contrast, mechanisms of clock disruption in humans and other diurnal (day-active) species remain poorly defined. I have evidence that the mechanisms that drive SCN function are fundamentally different between nocturnal species and diurnal species. This defines my aim to restore proper clock function in diurnal species, including humans. To test this, in Objective 1 we will identify similarities and differences between nocturnal and diurnal clocks with respect to their i) response to light, ii) neuronal synchronization, iii) output, and iv) response to physical activity. Based on these findings, in Objective 2 we will develop novel strategies to manipulate and restore clock function in diurnal species. These objectives will be achieved using novel, state-of-the-art chronobiology methods including in vivo electrophysiology and Ca2+ and bioluminescence reporters—all in freely behaving day-active animals, as well as in slice preparations containing the SCN. For studies on the human SCN we record with 7-Tesla fMRI. This proposal will help establish a new basis for chronobiology with respect to the most suitable models for studying translational applications. The results will yield immediate benefits in terms of manipulating biological clock function among vulnerable populations in modern society, particularly the elderly, patients in intensive care, and shift workers.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantIstituzione ospitante
2333 ZA Leiden
Paesi Bassi