Ying-Hui Fu, PhD

Molecular and Genetic Basis of Human Circadian Rhythmicity

Circadian rhythms are one of the best models for studying human behavior. When scientists say "Genetics is everything," it may not be so far-fetched if science comes to recognize just how many human behaviors are influenced by genetic composition. Many physiological processes-including heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature, and endocrine functions-are subject to circadian regulation. However, the regulation of the overall behavior of an organism is the most overt and intriguing manifestation of circadian rhythmicity. The pursuit of the genetic and molecular basis of behavior is extremely complex because of the wide variation in "normal" individuals. Furthermore, behaviors such as sleep are confounded by social and familiocultural influences that frequently cause the biological clock to override, leading people to stay up later or wake up earlier than they normally would. Various agents such as caffeine and alcohol also confound one's ability to understand the inherent rhythms dictating human activity. Dr. Fu's lab has identified several mutations that are involved in regulation of human rhythmicity. Molecular studies of in vitro systems as well as in model organisms with human mutations have suggested that the clock is a complicated mechanism, but that it can be approached using molecular and genetic tools.

 

 

 

 

 

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