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02 October 2017
Circadian Rhythms, the Body's Natural Time-Keeping System, Awarded 2017 Nobel Prize
2 October 2017
Circadian Rhythms, the Body's Natural Time-Keeping System, Awarded 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Light plays the large role in setting your circadian clock
WASHINGTON — Most of the processes that occur in the mind and body follow natural rhythms. Those with a cycle length of about one day are named circadian rhythms. The 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded today to Jeffrey C. Hall and Michael Rosbash of Brandeis University, USA and Michael W. Young, Rockefeller University, USA, "for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm." While light enables us to see our world in intense color and spectacular detail, we have learned that light also regulates many biological responses, which are not associated with our sense of sight, including an 'internal clock' in our bodies that makes us alert during the day and sleepy at night. The daily changes in our physical, mental and behavioral states that respond to a light-and-dark cycle is commonly known as our circadian rhythm.
The 2017 Nobel Announcement details, “With exquisite precision, our inner clock adapts our physiology to the dramatically different phases of the day. The clock regulates critical functions such as behavior, hormone levels, sleep, body temperature and metabolism. Our wellbeing is affected when there is a temporary mismatch between our external environments. Using fruit flies as a model organism, the researchers isolated a gene that controls the daily biological rhythm. They showed that this gene encodes a protein that accumulates in the cell during the night, and is then degraded during the day. Subsequently, they identified additional protein components of this machinery, exposing the mechanism governing the self-sustaining clockwork inside the cell. We now recognize that biological clocks function by the same principles in cells of other multicellular organisms, including humans.”
On behalf of The Optical Society, we congratulate these scientists on the recognition with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research and identification of additional proteins required for the activation of the period gene, as well as for the mechanism by which light can synchronize the clock,” stated Dr. Gregory Quarles, Chief Scientist for The Optical Society. “Our biological clock helps to regulate sleep patterns, feeding behavior, hormone release, blood pressure and many other biological needs. The control center for our internal clock is in our brain and heavily influenced by light.”
Dr. Lori Brock, Head of Innovation Americas for OSRAM added, “Although our ‘circadian rhythm’ is basically determined by our genetic makeup, our internal clock has to be resynchronized by daylight each and every day. Without light as the prime regulator our internal clock goes out of sync. A disrupted circadian system is associated with multiple health and behavioral problems, including; fatigue, cancer, obesity, diabetes, depression, mood and sleep disorders, reduced physical and mental performance. Scientific knowledge of circadian rhythms can be combined with innovative lighting technologies such as of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) to positively impact health and well-being.”
Tomorrow’s light-based technologies will continue to influence and impact the world around us. Watch 2014 Nobel Laureate Shuji Nakamura’s presentation on “Light for a Better World: A Celebration of U.S. Innovation” in recognition of the International Year of Light. Likewise, plan to attend the OSA’s Light, Energy and the Environment Congress to learn more about Solid-State Lighting with a special topical emphasis on spectral tailoring for human-centric lighting and circadian lighting applications.
About the OSA Light, Energy and the Environment Congress
6-9 November 2017
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, USA
Within the next 25 years, solid state lighting will become the cornerstone of a revolution in lighting. This progress relies on advances in material science, device physics, manufacturing, device packaging, and light management. Learn more at the solid-state laser symposium, a part of the Congress. Media registration at: MediaRelations@OSA.org.
About The Optical Society
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. For more information, visit osa.org.
Media Contacts:
mediarelations@osa.org
