Circadian Physiology

Research Leader: Associate Professor David Kennaway

More than 17% of the Australian workforce is engaged in shift-work and the work schedules that these workers are subjected to disrupts hormonal and sleep rhythms, eating patterns and light exposure.

Epidemiological evidence is emerging that shift-work increases the risks of developing metabolic syndrome (obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease), certain cancers (e.g. breast cancer) and infertility. The physiological mechanisms that must underpin these problems are poorly understood, but the recent discoveries of rhythmic gene expression in specialised cells in the brain and every other cell in the body has led to the prediction that disruption of cellular rhythms in the liver, muscles, adipose, brain and the reproductive system will have important health consequences.

The Circadian Physiology group uses state-of-the art molecular biological and physiological approaches and animal models to increase our understanding of how the type of rhythm disruption that shift-workers are subjected to adversely affects their health.

Our projects address the role of rhythmicity and the impact of disrupted rhythmicity in reproduction, metabolism and behaviour.

Research Priorities:

• The role of clock genes in reproduction
• Seasonal reproduction in pigs
• The role of clock genes in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis
• The effects of antidepressant drugs on neurotransmitter receptor gene expression in the brain