Molecular disseciton of the mammalian circadian clock: tissue-specific regulation of the Bmal1 and Bmal2 genes

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Numerous aspects of the physiology present 24-hour (or circadian) rhythms: sleep-wake cycles, feeding, hormones, body temperature... These circadian rhythms allow the organism to be adequately adapted to cyclic variations of the environment (Day-night cycles, seasons). Circadian rhythms are generated by "biological clocks", which are located in the brain as well as in various other organs. In recent years, many so-called "clock genes" have been discovered; these genes constitute the cogwheels of the biological clocks. Indeed, mutation of these genes lead to abnormal rhythms, both in rodents and in humans. Our work aims at discovering how clock genes interact with each other to generate overt physiological rhythms. We also want to understand how the various clocks of the circadian system organize and communicate among themselves. The research on circadian clocks is essential, given the large number of rhythmic physiological phenomena. A malfunction of the clock can lead to sleep and mood disorders, as well as cancer, obesity and probably many other health problems. Moreover, a better understanding of the clockworks could in the end help shiftworkers to adapt to shifted or changing schedules.