New professor sheds light on the importance of circadian rhythms for health
Frédéric Gachon is the new professor at the Department of Biomedicine. With a background in biology and health, he researches the biological clock, specifically how disruptions and sudden changes in circadian rhythms can lead to a wide range of diseases.
All humans are born with an internal biological clock located in the brain, consisting of approximately 20,000 nerve cells. If you don’t listen to your internal clock, it can have a greater impact than you might think.
At Aarhus University, Frédéric Gachon studies how disruptions in the internal biological clock can lead to conditions such as obesity, liver diseases, and cancer.
"Our biological clock regulates our physiology, including when we eat and sleep, and synchronizes it with the daily changes in our environment and the shift between day and night. Modern Western lifestyles, with extensive use of technology and irregular working hours, disrupt our internal clock, and these kinds of disruptions are recognized as a factor in many health problems," explains Frédéric Gachon.
The professor is particularly investigating how circadian rhythm disturbances affect the body’s secretion of hormones and can lead to diseases in the liver, kidneys, and metabolism.
“Circadian rhythm disturbances particularly affect people who travel frequently or work irregular hours. They have an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. By better understanding this connection, we will open up new opportunities to educate and expand our knowledge of the biological clock and integrate that knowledge into medical practice,” he says.
Contact
Professor Frédéric Gachon
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Phone: +61428579696
Email: f.gachon@uq.edu.au