Daily rhythms regulated by biological clocks shape our lives in important ways, affecting a wide range of functions including sleep, body temperature, cognitive ability, mood and sensitivity to drugs. Because these timekeeping processes have been highly conserved through evolution, what we learn from flies and other organisms often helps us better understand the same systems in higher organisms. |
We look at where the branches of these cells go, what signals they release and when they release them, and who is listening. We want to follow the chains of cells that respond to signals from the clock cells. We're hoping that path doesn't get too complicated too fast. |