Award details

Investigating novel brain clocks

Reference	BB/D005175/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Hugh Piggins
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Clare Guilding
Institution	The University of Manchester
Department	Life Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	386,708
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	19/09/2005
End date	18/03/2009
Duration	42 months

Abstract

The past 30 years has witnessed spectacular progress in our understanding of molecular, biochemical, and physiological properties of the brain cells that constitute the so-called 'master' circadian clock of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The development of sophisticated gene reporter constructs and electrophysiological methods has revealed that circadian clock-like activity is also present in a number of brain areas, including discrete nuclei of the amygdala. Remarkably little is known about the fundamental properties of clocks outside of the SCN, and in this proposal, we will use the techniques that have been highly successful in the study of the SCN clock, to establish if clock cells are present in the amygdala, to determine the molecular basis for clock activity in these areas, and dissect the processes that synchronise cellular activity at these extraSCN clock sites. These studies will provide unique insight into ways in which biological clocks can be constructed.

Summary

Clocks in the brain organise our behaviour and physiology so that we awaken, take meals, and go to sleep at the appropriate times of the day and night. A single master daily or circadian clock was thought to conduct the orchestra of brain activity, but new circadian clocks have been discovered in the brain. This suggests that our daily rhythms are controlled by many clocks. It is not known how these new clocks work and in our proposal, we will determine if the brain cells of these clocks use the same genes and chemical processes as used by master clock cells to keep time. Through these studies, we will learn if there is more than one way to build a biological clock.

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	Neuroscience and Behaviour
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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