Why do birds sing in the morning while frogs call at night? Why are heart attacks more likely to occur before dawn, while asthmatic attacks typically happen after sunset? Why do we feel lethargic and depressed during the short, dark days of winter, while long, sunny summer days make us feel energetic and alert? The answer to these questions lies in understanding the central role of the brain’s circadian clock, which organizes our body functions around the daily cycle of light and darkness. Located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the brain, this clock governs timekeeping in near-24-hour cycles, creating temporal order in cells, tissues, and organs across the body. Our research aims to uncover how biological timing systems regulate integrative brain functions and overall health.
Circadian Molecular Clock
Malfunctions of the brain’s circadian clock lead to disorders in brain and organ function, contributing to clinical conditions such as sleep disturbances, movement disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. By investigating the systems that synchronize us to the day-night cycle, our work aims to improve our understanding of the molecular substrates that drive long-term neural changes, with significant implications for public health, disease prevention, and treatment strategies for a wide range of disorders.
Left image taken from Principles & Practice Sleep Medicine and a Frontiers Review on the Neurovasculature
Interested in joining our lab? Please email mgillett@illinois.edu