Circadian Research Center
To organize and support circadian rhythm research and development
To effect rapid translation of basic science research findings into solutions for clinical and human performance problems.
Circadian biological rhythms play an important part in the management of disease and human performance. Modern molecular biology and physiological genomics are providing exciting insights into how biological rhythms are generated and regulated at the cellular and system level. These insights need to be translated into clinical treatment paradigms and into strategies for maximizing human performance. This is particularly important for the military. Modern military strategies depend upon rapid deployment, night-time surveillance, and night-time attack. When individuals are transported rapidly across multiple time zones or are tasked to work at night there is often a marked decrement in performance. This performance decrement is undesirable and is due to lack of adjustment of an individual's biological clock, i.e. circadian rhythm, to changes in the environmental light cycle. The Circadian Research Center has been organized to determine the molecular basis of circadian rhythm generation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control circadian rhythms will lead to development of treatment strategies for fast adjustment of biological rhythm disorders and return to optimal human performance.
The Circadian Research Center supports seminars, workshops, meetings, and informal gatherings that foster the establishment of cooperative research and development ventures in circadian research. It serves as an organizational unit for sponsoring cooperative research grants and contracts through the auspices of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine or the Foundation for the Advancement of Education and Science. It champions the acquisition of multi-use equipment and space needed for the successful performance of multi-disciplinary circadian research. It sponsors fellowships for junior investigators and visiting scientists. It organizes peer review panels to ensure that research sponsored by the The Circadian Research Center is meeting program goals and to evaluate research opportunities and future directions.
Current Membership of the Circadian Research Center
Links to individual research interests
Klein, David, Ph.D., (klein@helix.nih.gov). Section on Neuroendocrinology, Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Adjunct Professor, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Namboodiri, Aryan, Ph.D., (anamboodiri@usuhs.mil). Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Pollard, Harvey, MD., Ph.D., (hpollard@usuhs.mil). Professor and Chair, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
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Bethesda, Maryland 20814
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