Assessing the functional importance of circadian rhythms in genetically modified mice

• Applicant: Dr. Robert Dallmann
• Subject Area: Animal Physiology and Biochemistry
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 19083306

Circadian rhythms are one of the most ubiquitous properties of biological systems from fungi to mammals. In the latter, there are hardly any physiological parameters which are not controlled by the circadian master clock. This central pacemaker is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus. The underlying molecular machinery of this clock is composed of more than a dozen genes forming interacting translational-transciptional feed-back loops. Recent findings, however, show that a network of peripheral clocks in different organs are all interacting with the SCN and the environment. Here, we propose to use different mouse models to dissect this system apart, in order to investigate the function of (i) single components of the clock, and (ii) the peripheral clocks for various metabolic processes, e.g. glucose metabolism and drug detoxification. This might yield important insight into the understanding of metabolic processes and improve future treatment of diseases such as diabetes mellitus or cancer.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. David R. Weaver