Professor Jonathan Johnston
Academic and research departments
Section of Chronobiology, School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.About
Biography
Professor of Chronobiology and Integrative Physiology, University of Surrey
Reader in Chronobiology and Integrative Physiology, University of Surrey
Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience, University of Surrey
Lecturer in Neuroscience, University of Surrey
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Aberdeen (2001-2005)
PhD, University of Manchester (1998-2001)
Areas of specialism
University roles and responsibilities
- Committee Member, University Ethics Committee (2024-current)
- Chair, L7 (MSci) Board of Examiners (2022-current)
- Postgraduate Research Director, Quantum Biology degree programme
- Postgraduate Research Director, School of Biosciences and Medicine (2016-current)
- Member, School Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Group (2016-current)
- Member, Faculty Research Degrees Committee (2016-current)
- Mentor to Early Career Researchers/Academics, University Researcher Development Programme (2015-current)
Previous roles
News
In the media
ResearchResearch interests
Biological Rhythms
Life on Earth is profoundly affected by rhythmic changes in environmental conditions, including light, temperature and food availability, ultimately caused by planetary rotation and orbit. In order to adapt to these environmental changes, living organisms have evolved internal 'biological clocks' that influence many aspects of physiology (e.g. body temperature, sleep, hormone secretion and cell division).
Although I have a broad interest in biological rhythms and physiology, my primary research activity involves the interaction between circadian (daily) rhythms, metabolic physiology and nutrition. Most of my current research uses human volunteers and cell culture methodology.
Notable recent achievements include:
1. Demonstration that meal timing is a key synchroniser of circadian rhythms in human glucose (sugar) regulation.
2. Revealing benefits and real-world challenges of meal timing for long-term human health and wellbeing.
3. Serial biopsy of white fat and skeletal muscle for molecular analysis of daily rhythms in human metabolic tissues.
4. Assessment of the ability of cultured skin cells to reflect circadian rhythms in humans.
5. Analysis of daily gene expression, hormone and metabolite profiles in lean, obese and diabetic individuals.
I regularly publish in leading journals and give invited talks at international scientific meetings (see 'External Oral Conference Presentations' at the bottom of this tab).
Research projects
Characterising Rhythmicity in Human Skeletal Muscle MetabolismBetts J (Bath - PI), Gonzalez J (Bath), Thompson D (Bath), Koumanov F (Bath), Wahlin J-P (Bath), Tsintzas K (Nottingham), Johnston JD (Surrey)
BBSRC Responsive Mode grant (2024-2027)
Meal timing and energy restriction as regulators of central and peripheral human rhythmsJohnston JD (PI), Skene DJ, van der Veen DR
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2024-2027) £1,019,421 (80% FEC)
Maximising impact of time restricted eating (TRE): understanding barriers and opportunities for health practitioners and patientsJohnston JD (PI), Ogden J, Robertson MD
ESRC Impact Acceleration Award (2022-2023)
Anticipation of meal time in humansJohnston JD (PI), Skene DJ, van der Veen D
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2019-2023) £810,047 (80% FEC value) plus £142,377 COVID extension support
The big breakfast study: chrono-nutrition influence on energy expenditure and body weightJohnstone A (Aberdeen - PI), Johnston JD (Surrey), Morgan PJ (Aberdeen)
MRC Responsive Mode Grant (2017-2020)
Total Value; £787,221 (80% FEC value)
Value to Surrey; £222,904 (80% FEC value)
Diet and health: Meal timing as a synchroniser of the human circadian timing systemJohnston JD (PI), Archer SN, Lovegrove JA
BBSRC-University of Surrey Doctoral Training Programme studentship (2012-2016)
£80,000 (approx)
Food Entrainment of the Human Circadian Timing SystemJohnston JD (PI), Skene DJ, Archer SN, Gibbs M
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2011-2014)
£1,203,397 (100% FEC value)
Adipose Rhythms and MetabolismJohnston JD (PI), Skene DJ
Stockgrand UK Research Grant (2008-2011)
£30,000
The Effects Of Time Of Treatment On Statin Muscle ToxicityPlant K (PI), Johnston JD, Plant N
British Toxicology Society/Surrey Centre for Toxicology PhD Studentship (2008-2011)
£70,000
Circadian and homeostatic contributions to physiology, cognition and genomewide expression in human and mouse variants of the PER3 VNTR polymorphismDijk DJ (PI), Archer SN, von Schantz M, Smith CP, Groeger JA, Johnston JD
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2008-2011)
£1,818,762 (100% FEC value)
Regulation of melatonin receptor expression by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)Johnston JD (PI)
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2008-2011)
£449,354 (100% FEC value)
Are daily rhythms of adipokine synthesis and secretion abnormal in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus?Johnston JD (PI), Robertson MD, Skene DJ
Diabetes-UK Project Grant (2008-2009)
£82,340
Circadian Rhythms in Adipose TissueJohnston JD (PI), Frost G
BBSRC Doctoral Training Grant (2006-2009)
£52,000
Indicators of esteem
Editorial Board member, Journal of Pineal Research (2019-current)
Elected to the Board of the European Biological Rhythms Society (2019-2023)
Trustee, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (2016-2020)
Programme Organising Committee member, International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (2014)
Member, Diabetes-UK Innovators in Diabetes programme (2011-2014)
Core Member, BBSRC Panel A (2011-2016)
Pool Member, BBSRC grant review panels (2010-2011)
Meetings Secretary, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (2010-2011)
Programme Organising Committee member, Society for Endocrinology (2009-2010)
Science Committee member, Society for Endocrinology (2007-2010)
Steering Committee member, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (2006-2020)
Editorial Board member, Journal of Neuroendocrinology (2006-current)
Co-organiser and chair of the UK Clock Club meeting, hosted at the University of Surrey (Spring 2006; with Dr M von Schantz)
Peer review of grants and manuscripts for multiple international and national scientific bodies
External Oral Conference Presentations
International and national research lectures (Invited lectures unless otherwise stated)
• Chrono-nutrition: advances, potential and challenges. Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, Prague, Czech Republic, June 2024
• Effects of meal timing on human plasma metabolite rhythms. Nutrition Society meeting, Aberdeen, UK, March 2024 (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• Short-term changes in human metabolism following a 5-hour delay of the light-dark and behavioural cycle. Nutrition Society meeting, Aberdeen, UK, March 2024 (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• The human circadian system: links to meal timing and type 2 diabetes. 22nd International Congress of Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan, December 2022
• The value of chrononutrition. European Biological Rhythms Society meeting, Zurich, Switzerland, July 2022
• Meal timing regulates the circadian plasma metabolome in humans. 25th Congress of the European Sleep Research Society, Online conference, September 2020
• Circadian metabolism in humans and its regulation by meal timing. 13th European Nutrition Conference, Dublin, Ireland, October 2019
• Circadian metabolism and meal timing in humans. Center of Brain, Behaviour and Metabolism, Luebeck, Germany, September 2019
• Circadian metabolism and meal timing in humans. European Biological Rhythms Society meeting, Lyon, France, August 2019
• You are when you eat: how meal timing regulates circadian rhythms and metabolism. Belgian Nutrition Society meeting, Brussels, Belgium, May 2019
• Human peripheral rhythms and their regulation by meal timing. Physiological Society meeting on 'Chrononutrition: from epidemiology to molecular mechanism', London, UK, November 2018
• Circadian clocks and metabolism: Integration of dietary and circadian control. Royal Society of Medicine meeting on 'Chrono-nutrition: Circadian clocks, mealtimes and metabolic disorders', London, UK, November 2018
• Clocks, melatonin and diabetes. World Sleep meeting, Prague, Czech Republic, October 2017
• Chronobiology, metabolism and nutrients in humans. British Society for Neuroendocrinology meeting, University of Nottingham, UK, September 2017
• Circadian rhythms of human metabolism: influence of obesity and meal timing. Neuroscience of Obesity meeting, Aberdeen, UK, August 2017
• Chrononutrition: the interplay between food and the body clock system. Nutritionists in Industry meeting, Unilever, Leatherhead, UK, September 2016
• Human circadian rhythms, metabolism and chrononutrition. NEUREX meeting, Strasbourg, France, June 2016
• Circadian Rhythms in Adipose Tissue. International Congress on Obesity meeting, Vancouver, Canada, May 2016
• Impact of food on circadian rhythms. Nutrition Society winter meeting, London, UK, December 2015
• What endocrinologists should know about the body clock and sleep. Society for Endocrinology/British Endocrine Societies meeting, Edinburgh, UK, November 2015
• Meal timing regulates the human circadian system. European Biological Rhythms Society meeting, Manchester, UK, August 2015
• Control of melatonin receptor expression in the pituitary. FASEB Summer Research Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, July 2015
• Timed feeding, neuroendocrinology and the human circadian system. British Neuroscience Association meeting, Edinburgh, UK, April 2015
• Eat breakfast like a king? Meal timing as a regulator of body clocks. Experimental Biology meeting, Boston, USA, March-April 2015
• Physiological links between circadian rhythms, metabolism and nutrition. Obesity - A Physiological Perspective, Physiological Society Topic Meeting, Newcastle, UK, September 2014
• Rhythmic diurnal gene expression in human adipose tissue from individuals who are lean, overweight and type 2 diabetic. American Diabetes Association meeting, Chicago, USA, June 2013
• How does breakfast help manage body weight? The physiological reasons. Nutrition Society summer meeting, Queen's University Belfast, N Ireland, 2012
• Molecular and Endocrine Rhythms in Men with Type two Diabetes. 13th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida, USA, May 2012
• Daily rhythms in lean overweight and type 2 diabetic human subjects. British Society for Neuroendocrinology Meeting, University of Cambridge, UK, August 2011
• Daily rhythms in lean overweight and type 2 diabetic human subjects. 41st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology, Berlin, Germany, August 2011
• Daily rhythms in lean overweight and type 2 diabetic human subjects. 13th European Congress of Endocrinology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, May 2011
• Daily rhythms in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue: comparison of lean, overweight and type 2 diabetic subjects. 12th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida, USA, May 2010. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• Daily rhythms in human white adipose tissue. UK Adipose Tissue Discussion Group meeting, Astra Zeneca, Alderley Edge, UK, December 2009. (Invited 'hot topic' lecture)
• Adipocyte rhythmicity in vitro. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Symposium on Circadian Biology and Sleep: Missing Links in Obesity and Metabolism, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, April 2009
• The pars tuberalis: providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of melatonin signalling. FASEB Summer Research Conference Melatonin Receptors: Actions and Therapeutics, Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA, August 2008
• Developmental plasticity of melatonin receptor expression. Gordon Research Conference in Pineal Cell Biology, Il Ciocco, Barga, Italy, April 2008
• Defining transient melatonin receptor expression in the developing gonadotroph. European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology meeting, University of Cambridge, UK, September 2006
• Melatonin differentially regulates expression of multiple circadian clock genes in the pituitary pars tuberalis. British Society for Neuroendocrinology and Société de Neuroendocrinologie joint meeting, University of Oxford, UK, September 2005. (Prize lecture)
• Photoperiodic regulation of gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis of seasonal mammals. Gordon Research Conference in Pineal Cell Biology, Oxford, UK, August 2004
• Molecular regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal pituitary gland. British Society for Neuroendocrinology Meeting, University of Manchester, UK, September 2003. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• Regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal pituitary gland. UK Clock Club Meeting, University of Leicester, UK, April 2003
• Developmental regulation of the mt1 melatonin receptor in the rat pituitary. 8th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Amelia Island Plantation, Florida, USA, May 2002. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation).
Research interests
Biological Rhythms
Life on Earth is profoundly affected by rhythmic changes in environmental conditions, including light, temperature and food availability, ultimately caused by planetary rotation and orbit. In order to adapt to these environmental changes, living organisms have evolved internal 'biological clocks' that influence many aspects of physiology (e.g. body temperature, sleep, hormone secretion and cell division).
Although I have a broad interest in biological rhythms and physiology, my primary research activity involves the interaction between circadian (daily) rhythms, metabolic physiology and nutrition. Most of my current research uses human volunteers and cell culture methodology.
Notable recent achievements include:
1. Demonstration that meal timing is a key synchroniser of circadian rhythms in human glucose (sugar) regulation.
2. Revealing benefits and real-world challenges of meal timing for long-term human health and wellbeing.
3. Serial biopsy of white fat and skeletal muscle for molecular analysis of daily rhythms in human metabolic tissues.
4. Assessment of the ability of cultured skin cells to reflect circadian rhythms in humans.
5. Analysis of daily gene expression, hormone and metabolite profiles in lean, obese and diabetic individuals.
I regularly publish in leading journals and give invited talks at international scientific meetings (see 'External Oral Conference Presentations' at the bottom of this tab).
Research projects
Betts J (Bath - PI), Gonzalez J (Bath), Thompson D (Bath), Koumanov F (Bath), Wahlin J-P (Bath), Tsintzas K (Nottingham), Johnston JD (Surrey)
BBSRC Responsive Mode grant (2024-2027)
Johnston JD (PI), Skene DJ, van der Veen DR
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2024-2027) £1,019,421 (80% FEC)
Johnston JD (PI), Ogden J, Robertson MD
ESRC Impact Acceleration Award (2022-2023)
Johnston JD (PI), Skene DJ, van der Veen D
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2019-2023) £810,047 (80% FEC value) plus £142,377 COVID extension support
Johnstone A (Aberdeen - PI), Johnston JD (Surrey), Morgan PJ (Aberdeen)
MRC Responsive Mode Grant (2017-2020)
Total Value; £787,221 (80% FEC value)
Value to Surrey; £222,904 (80% FEC value)
Johnston JD (PI), Archer SN, Lovegrove JA
BBSRC-University of Surrey Doctoral Training Programme studentship (2012-2016)
£80,000 (approx)
Johnston JD (PI), Skene DJ, Archer SN, Gibbs M
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2011-2014)
£1,203,397 (100% FEC value)
Johnston JD (PI), Skene DJ
Stockgrand UK Research Grant (2008-2011)
£30,000
Plant K (PI), Johnston JD, Plant N
British Toxicology Society/Surrey Centre for Toxicology PhD Studentship (2008-2011)
£70,000
Dijk DJ (PI), Archer SN, von Schantz M, Smith CP, Groeger JA, Johnston JD
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2008-2011)
£1,818,762 (100% FEC value)
Johnston JD (PI)
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2008-2011)
£449,354 (100% FEC value)
Johnston JD (PI), Robertson MD, Skene DJ
Diabetes-UK Project Grant (2008-2009)
£82,340
Johnston JD (PI), Frost G
BBSRC Doctoral Training Grant (2006-2009)
£52,000
Indicators of esteem
Editorial Board member, Journal of Pineal Research (2019-current)
Elected to the Board of the European Biological Rhythms Society (2019-2023)
Trustee, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (2016-2020)
Programme Organising Committee member, International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (2014)
Member, Diabetes-UK Innovators in Diabetes programme (2011-2014)
Core Member, BBSRC Panel A (2011-2016)
Pool Member, BBSRC grant review panels (2010-2011)
Meetings Secretary, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (2010-2011)
Programme Organising Committee member, Society for Endocrinology (2009-2010)
Science Committee member, Society for Endocrinology (2007-2010)
Steering Committee member, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (2006-2020)
Editorial Board member, Journal of Neuroendocrinology (2006-current)
Co-organiser and chair of the UK Clock Club meeting, hosted at the University of Surrey (Spring 2006; with Dr M von Schantz)
Peer review of grants and manuscripts for multiple international and national scientific bodies
External Oral Conference Presentations
International and national research lectures (Invited lectures unless otherwise stated)
• Chrono-nutrition: advances, potential and challenges. Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, Prague, Czech Republic, June 2024
• Effects of meal timing on human plasma metabolite rhythms. Nutrition Society meeting, Aberdeen, UK, March 2024 (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• Short-term changes in human metabolism following a 5-hour delay of the light-dark and behavioural cycle. Nutrition Society meeting, Aberdeen, UK, March 2024 (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• The human circadian system: links to meal timing and type 2 diabetes. 22nd International Congress of Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan, December 2022
• The value of chrononutrition. European Biological Rhythms Society meeting, Zurich, Switzerland, July 2022
• Meal timing regulates the circadian plasma metabolome in humans. 25th Congress of the European Sleep Research Society, Online conference, September 2020
• Circadian metabolism in humans and its regulation by meal timing. 13th European Nutrition Conference, Dublin, Ireland, October 2019
• Circadian metabolism and meal timing in humans. Center of Brain, Behaviour and Metabolism, Luebeck, Germany, September 2019
• Circadian metabolism and meal timing in humans. European Biological Rhythms Society meeting, Lyon, France, August 2019
• You are when you eat: how meal timing regulates circadian rhythms and metabolism. Belgian Nutrition Society meeting, Brussels, Belgium, May 2019
• Human peripheral rhythms and their regulation by meal timing. Physiological Society meeting on 'Chrononutrition: from epidemiology to molecular mechanism', London, UK, November 2018
• Circadian clocks and metabolism: Integration of dietary and circadian control. Royal Society of Medicine meeting on 'Chrono-nutrition: Circadian clocks, mealtimes and metabolic disorders', London, UK, November 2018
• Clocks, melatonin and diabetes. World Sleep meeting, Prague, Czech Republic, October 2017
• Chronobiology, metabolism and nutrients in humans. British Society for Neuroendocrinology meeting, University of Nottingham, UK, September 2017
• Circadian rhythms of human metabolism: influence of obesity and meal timing. Neuroscience of Obesity meeting, Aberdeen, UK, August 2017
• Chrononutrition: the interplay between food and the body clock system. Nutritionists in Industry meeting, Unilever, Leatherhead, UK, September 2016
• Human circadian rhythms, metabolism and chrononutrition. NEUREX meeting, Strasbourg, France, June 2016
• Circadian Rhythms in Adipose Tissue. International Congress on Obesity meeting, Vancouver, Canada, May 2016
• Impact of food on circadian rhythms. Nutrition Society winter meeting, London, UK, December 2015
• What endocrinologists should know about the body clock and sleep. Society for Endocrinology/British Endocrine Societies meeting, Edinburgh, UK, November 2015
• Meal timing regulates the human circadian system. European Biological Rhythms Society meeting, Manchester, UK, August 2015
• Control of melatonin receptor expression in the pituitary. FASEB Summer Research Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, July 2015
• Timed feeding, neuroendocrinology and the human circadian system. British Neuroscience Association meeting, Edinburgh, UK, April 2015
• Eat breakfast like a king? Meal timing as a regulator of body clocks. Experimental Biology meeting, Boston, USA, March-April 2015
• Physiological links between circadian rhythms, metabolism and nutrition. Obesity - A Physiological Perspective, Physiological Society Topic Meeting, Newcastle, UK, September 2014
• Rhythmic diurnal gene expression in human adipose tissue from individuals who are lean, overweight and type 2 diabetic. American Diabetes Association meeting, Chicago, USA, June 2013
• How does breakfast help manage body weight? The physiological reasons. Nutrition Society summer meeting, Queen's University Belfast, N Ireland, 2012
• Molecular and Endocrine Rhythms in Men with Type two Diabetes. 13th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida, USA, May 2012
• Daily rhythms in lean overweight and type 2 diabetic human subjects. British Society for Neuroendocrinology Meeting, University of Cambridge, UK, August 2011
• Daily rhythms in lean overweight and type 2 diabetic human subjects. 41st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology, Berlin, Germany, August 2011
• Daily rhythms in lean overweight and type 2 diabetic human subjects. 13th European Congress of Endocrinology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, May 2011
• Daily rhythms in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue: comparison of lean, overweight and type 2 diabetic subjects. 12th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida, USA, May 2010. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• Daily rhythms in human white adipose tissue. UK Adipose Tissue Discussion Group meeting, Astra Zeneca, Alderley Edge, UK, December 2009. (Invited 'hot topic' lecture)
• Adipocyte rhythmicity in vitro. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Symposium on Circadian Biology and Sleep: Missing Links in Obesity and Metabolism, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, April 2009
• The pars tuberalis: providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of melatonin signalling. FASEB Summer Research Conference Melatonin Receptors: Actions and Therapeutics, Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA, August 2008
• Developmental plasticity of melatonin receptor expression. Gordon Research Conference in Pineal Cell Biology, Il Ciocco, Barga, Italy, April 2008
• Defining transient melatonin receptor expression in the developing gonadotroph. European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology meeting, University of Cambridge, UK, September 2006
• Melatonin differentially regulates expression of multiple circadian clock genes in the pituitary pars tuberalis. British Society for Neuroendocrinology and Société de Neuroendocrinologie joint meeting, University of Oxford, UK, September 2005. (Prize lecture)
• Photoperiodic regulation of gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis of seasonal mammals. Gordon Research Conference in Pineal Cell Biology, Oxford, UK, August 2004
• Molecular regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal pituitary gland. British Society for Neuroendocrinology Meeting, University of Manchester, UK, September 2003. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
• Regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal pituitary gland. UK Clock Club Meeting, University of Leicester, UK, April 2003
• Developmental regulation of the mt1 melatonin receptor in the rat pituitary. 8th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Amelia Island Plantation, Florida, USA, May 2002. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation).
Supervision
Postgraduate research supervision
I welcome informal applications from prospective postgraduate research students.
Completed postgraduate research projects I have supervised
Dr Paul Jefcoate (2023)
Dr Adam Hargreaves (2023)
Dr Alan Flanagan (2023)
Dr Valeria Mastrullo (2022)
Dr Capucine Martin (2019)
Dr Hasanthi Assalaarachchi (2019)
Dr Lisa Adjei (2018)
Dr Fani Pantouli (2017)
Dr Anna Mai (2017)
Dr Cheryl Isherwood (2017)
Dr Skevoulla Christou (2016)
Dr Rowena Gee (2012)
Dr Simone Mäntele (2011)
Dr Daniella Otway (2009)
Teaching
BMS 1058 Integrating Human Physiology
BMS 2038 Integration of Physiological Systems
BMS 2077 Nutritional Physiology & Metabolism
BMS 3048 Research Project
BMS 3064 Neuroscience: from Molecules to Mind
BMS 3066 Biological Rhythms
BMS 3107 Advances in Nutrition
MHU M009 Research Project (module organiser)
PSY M002 Conducting Health Psychology Research
Professional Training Year
Publications
Highlights
Short-term changes in human metabolism following a 5-hour delay of the light-dark and behavioural cycle.
Flanagan et al, iScience 2024; 111161
Human glucose rhythms and subjective hunger anticipate meal timing
Isherwood et al, Current Biology 2023; 33: 1321-1326.
Timing of daily calorie loading affects appetite and hunger responses without changes in energy metabolism in healthy subjects with obesity
Ruddick-Collins et al; Cell Metabolism 2022; 34: 1472-1485
Circadian rhythms in resting metabolic rate account for apparent daily rhythms in thermic effect of food
Ruddick-Collins et al; Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2022; 107: e708-e715
Transcriptomic analyses reveal rhythmic and CLOCK-driven pathways in human skeletal muscle
Perrin et al, 2018. Elife; 7: e34114
Lipidomics reveals diurnal lipid oscillations in human skeletal muscle persisting in cellular myotubes cultured in vitro
Loizides-Mangold et al, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2017: 114: E8565-E8574
Meal Timing Regulates the Human Circadian System
Wehrens et al, Current Biology 2017; 19: 1768-1775
Twenty-four-hour rhythmicity of circulating metabolites: effect of body mass and type 2 diabetes
Isherwood et al, FASEB Journal 2017; 31: 5557-5567
Assessment of circadian rhythms in humans: comparison of real-time fibroblast reporter imaging with plasma melatonin
Hasan et al, FASEB Journal 2012; 26: 2414-2423
Rhythmic Diurnal Gene Expression in Human Adipose Tissue From Individuals Who Are Lean, Overweight, and Have Type 2 Diabetes
Otway et al, Diabetes 2011; 60: 1577-1581
Egr1 involvement in evening gene regulation by melatonin
Fustin et al, FASEB Journal 2009; 23: 764–773
Photoperiod differentially regulates rhythms of gene expression in the rostral and caudal suprachiasmatic nuclei
Hazlerigg et al, Current Biology 2005; 15: R449-R450
Molecular characterisation of the long day response in the Soay sheep, a seasonal mammal
Hazlerigg et al, Current Biology 2004; 14: 334-339
Photoperiod differentially regulates circadian oscillators in central and peripheral tissues of the Syrian hamster
Carr, Johnston et al, Current Biology 2003; 13: 1543-1548
Evidence for an endogenous per1- and ICER-independent seasonal timer in the hamster pituitary gland
Johnston et al, FASEB Journal 2003; 17: 810-815
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone drives melatonin receptor down-regulation in the developing pituitary gland
Johnston et al, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2003; 100: 2831-2835
Full Papers
NB When not freely available via journal websites (see 'OPEN ACCESS' labels), full text may be available here.
67. Flanagan A, Ruddick-Collins LC, Fielding B, Middleton B, von Gerichten J, Short M, Revell V, Mendis J, Mayer CD, Morgan PJ, Johnstone AM, Johnston JD. Short-term changes in human metabolism following a 5-hour delay of the light-dark and behavioural cycle. (OPEN ACCESS) iScience 2024; 111161
66. Spick M, Isherwood CI, Gethings L, Hassanin H, van der Veen DR, Skene DJ, Johnston JD. Rhythmic variation in proteomics: challenges and opportunities for statistical power and biomarker identification. Biorxiv 2024
65. Smith HA, Templeman I, Davis M, Slater T, Clayton DJ, Varley I, James LJ, Middleton B, Johnston JD, Karagounis LG, Tsintzas K, Thompson D, Gonzalez JT, Wahlin JP, Betts JA. Characterising 24-h skeletal muscle gene expression alongside metabolic & endocrine responses under diurnal conditions. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024; in press
64. Isherwood CI, Robertson MD, Skene DJ, Johnston JD. Daily rhythms of diabetogenic factors in men: role of type 2 diabetes and body weight. (OPEN ACCESS). Endocrine Connections 2023; 12: :e230064.
63. Jefcoate PW, Robertson MD, Ogden J, Johnston JD. Exploring Rates of Adherence and Barriers to Time-Restricted Eating. (OPEN ACCESS). Nutrients 2023; 15: 2336.
62. Isherwood CI, van der Veen DR, Hassanin H, Skene DJ, Johnston JD. Human glucose rhythms and subjective hunger anticipate meal timing. (OPEN ACCESS). Current Biology 2023; 33: 1321-1326.
61. Ruddick-Collins LC, Morgan PJ, Fyfe CL, Filipe JAN, Horgan GW, Westerterp KR, Johnston JD, Johnstone AM. Timing of daily calorie loading affects appetite and hunger responses without changes in energy metabolism in healthy subjects with obesity. (OPEN ACCESS). Cell Metabolism 2022; 34: 1472-1485.
60. von Gerichten J, Elnesr MH, Prollins JE, De Mel IA, Flanagan A, Johnston JD, Fielding BA, Short M. The [13C]octanoic acid breath test for gastric emptying quantification: Focus on nutrition and modelling. (OPEN ACCESS). Lipids 2022; 57: 205-219.
59. Martin C, Johnston JD, Henslee EA, van der Veen DR, Labeed FH. In vitro characterisation of murine pre-adipose nucleated cells reveals electrophysiological cycles associated with biological clocks. Electrophoresis 2022; 43: 1337-1346.
58. Mastrullo V, van der Veen DR, Gupta P, Matos RS, Johnston JD, McVey JH, Madeddu P, Velliou EG, Campagnolo P. Pericytes’ Circadian Clock Affects
Endothelial Cells’ Synchronization and Angiogenesis in a 3D Tissue Engineered Scaffold. (OPEN ACCESS). Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022; 13: 867070.
57. Ruddick-Collins LC, Flanagan A, Johnston JD, Morgan PJ, Johnstone AM. Circadian rhythms in resting metabolic rate account for apparent daily rhythms in thermic effect of food. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2022; 107: e708-e715
56. Jefcoate PW, Robertson MD, Ogden J, Johnston JD. Identification of factors influencing motivation to undertake time-restricted feeding in humans. Appetite 2021; 164: 105240.
55. Templeman I, Smith HA, Walhin JP, Middleton B, Gonzalez JT, Karagounis LG, Johnston JD, Betts JA. Unacylated ghrelin, leptin, and appetite display diurnal rhythmicity in lean adults. Journal of Applied Physiology 2021; 130: 1534-1543.
54. Lynch S, Johnston JD, Robertson MD. Early versus late time‐restricted feeding in adults at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes: Is there an optimal time to eat for metabolic health? (OPEN ACCESS) Nutrition Bulletin 2021; 46: 69-76.
53. Flanagan A, Bechtold DA, Pot GK, Johnston JD. Chrono-nutrition: From molecular and neuronal mechanisms to human epidemiology and timed feeding patterns. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Neurochemistry 2021; 157: 53-72.
52. van der Veen DR, Laing EE, Bae SE, Johnston JD, Dijk DJ, Archer SN. A topological cluster of differentially regulated genes in mice lacking PER3. (OPEN ACCESS) Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 2020; 13: 15.
51. Christou S, Wehrens SMT, Isherwood C, Moller-Levet C, Wu H, Revell VL, Bucca G, Skene DJ, Laing EL, Archer SN, Johnston JD. Circadian regulation in human white adipose tissue revealed by transcriptome and metabolic network analysis. (OPEN ACCESS) Scientific Reports 2019; 9: 2641.
50. Almoosawi S, Vingeliene S, Gachon F, Voortman T, Palla L, Johnston JD, Van Dam RM, Darimont C, Karagounis LG. Chronotype: Implications for epidemiological studies on chrono-nutrition and cardiometabolic health. (OPEN ACCESS) Advances in Nutrition 2019; 10: 30-42.
49. Antoni R, Robertson TM, Robertson MD, Johnston JD. A pilot feasibility study exploring the effects of a moderate time-restricted feeding intervention on energy intake, adiposity and metabolic physiology in free-living humans. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Nutritional Science 2018; 7: e22.
48. Ruddick-Collins LC, Johnston JD, Morgan PJ, Johnstone AM. The Big Breakfast Study: Chrono-nutrition influence on energy expenditure and bodyweight. (OPEN ACCESS) Nutrition Bulletin 2018; 43:174-183.
47. Perrin L, Loizides-Mangold U, Chanon S, Gobet C, Hulo N, Isenegger L, Weger BD, Migliavacca E, Charpagne A, Betts JA, Walhin JP, Templeman I, Stokes K, Thompson D, Tsintzas K, Robert M, Howald C, Riezman H, Feige JN, Karagounis LG, Johnston JD, Dermitzakis ET, Gachon F, Lefai E, Dibner C. Transcriptomic analyses reveal rhythmic and CLOCK-driven pathways in human skeletal muscle. (OPEN ACCESS) Elife 2018; 7: e34114
46. Isherwood CM, van der Veen DR, Johnston JD, Skene DJ. Twenty-four-hour rhythmicity of circulating metabolites: effect of body mass and type 2 diabetes. (OPEN ACCESS) FASEB Journal 2017; 31: 5557-5567.
45. Loizides-Mangold U, Perrin L, Vandereycken B, Betts JA, Walhin JP, Templeman I, Chanon S, Weger BD, Durand C, Robert M, Montoya JP, Moniatte M, Karagounis LG, Johnston JD, Gachon F, Lefai E, Riezman H, Dibner C. Lipidomics reveals diurnal lipid oscillations in human skeletal muscle persisting in cellular myotubes cultured in vitro. (OPEN ACCESS) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2017; 114: E8565-E8574.
44. Wehrens SMT, Christou S, Isherwood C, Middleton B, Gibbs MA, Archer SN, Skene DJ, Johnston JD. Meal Timing Regulates the Human Circadian System. (OPEN ACCESS) Current Biology 2017; 19: 1768-1775.
43. Johnston JD. Circadian Biology: Interaction with Metabolism and Nutrition. In Nutrition, Epigenetics and Health (Burge G ed; World Scientific) 2017
42. Johnston JD, Ordovás JM, Scheer FA, Turek FW. Circadian Rhythms, Metabolism, and Chrononutrition in Rodents and Humans. (OPEN ACCESS) Advances in Nutrition 2016; 7: 399-406.
41. Johnston JD, Skene DJ. Regulation of mammalian neuroendocrine physiology and rhythms by melatonin. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Endocrinology 2015; 226: T187-198.
40. *Laing EE, *Johnston JD, Möller-Levet CS, Bucca G, Smith CP, Dijk DJ, Archer SN. Exploiting human and mouse transcriptomic data: identification of circadian genes and pathways influencing health. (OPEN ACCESS) Bioessays 2015; 37: 544-556.*Joint 1st authors
39. Gee RH, Spinks JN, Malia JM, Johnston JD, Plant NJ, Plant KE. Inhibition of prenyltransferase activity by statins in both liver and muscle cell lines is not causative of cytotoxicity.Toxicology 2015; 329: 40-48.
38. Johnston JD. Physiological links between circadian rhythms, metabolism and nutrition.(OPEN ACCESS) Experimental Physiology 2014; 99: 1133-1137.
37. Hampton SM, Johnston JD. Probing the diurnal regulation of glycemic control. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Diabetes and its Complications 2014; 28: 751-752.
36. Frost G, Cai Z, Raven M, Otway DT, Mushtaq R, Johnston JD. Effect of short chain fatty acids on the expression of free fatty acid receptor 2 (Ffar2), Ffar3 and early-stage adipogenesis. (OPEN ACCESS) Nutrition and Diabetes 2014; 4: e128.
35. Johnston JD. Physiological responses to food intake throughout the day. (OPEN ACCESS) Nutrition Research Reviews 2014; 27: 107-118.
34. Bae SE, Wright IK, Wyse C, Samson-Desvignes N, Le Blanc P, Laroche S, Hazlerigg DG, Johnston JD. Regulation of pituitary MT1 melatonin receptor expression by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1): in vivo and in vitro studies. (OPEN ACCESS) PLoS One. 2014; 9: e90056.
33. Lazar AS, Santhi N, Hasan S, Lo J, Johnston JD, von Schantz M, Archer SN, Dijk DJ. Circadian period and the melatonin rhythm in men and women: predictors of sleep during the weekend and in the laboratory. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Sleep Research 2013; 22: 155-159.
32. Ang JE, Revell V, Mann A, Mäntele S, Otway DT, Johnston JD, Thumser AE, Skene DJ, Raynaud F. Identification of human plasma metabolites exhibiting time-of-day variation using an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics approach. (OPEN ACCESS) Chronobiology International 2012; 29: 868-881.
31. Hasan S, Santhi N, Lazar AS, Slak A, Lo J, von Schantz M, Archer SN, Johnston JD, Dijk DJ. Assessment of circadian rhythms in humans: comparison of real-time fibroblast reporter imaging with plasma melatonin. (OPEN ACCESS) FASEB Journal 2012; 26: 2414-2423.
30. Mäntele S, Otway DT, Middleton B, Bretschneider S, Wright J, Robertson MD, Skene DJ, Johnston JD. Daily rhythms of plasma melatonin, but not plasma leptin or leptin mRNA, vary between lean, obese and type 2 diabetic men. (OPEN ACCESS) PLoS One 2012; 7: e37123.
29. Johnston JD. Adipose circadian rhythms: translating cellular and animal studies to human physiology. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 2012; 349: 45-50.
28. Otway DT, Mäntele S, Bretschneider S, Wright J, Trayhurn P, Skene DJ, Robertson MD, Johnston JD. Rhythmic Diurnal Gene Expression in Human Adipose Tissue From Individuals Who Are Lean, Overweight, and Have Type 2 Diabetes. (OPEN ACCESS)Diabetes 2011; 60: 1577-1581.
27. Archer SN, Carpen JD, Gibson M, Lim GH, Johnston JD, Skene DJ, von Schantz M. Polymorphism in the PER3 promoter associates with diurnal preference and delayed sleep phase disorder. (OPEN ACCESS) Sleep 2010; 33: 695-701.
26. Johnston JD, Frost G, Otway DT. Adipose tissue, adipocytes and the circadian timing system.Obesity Reviews 2009; 10 (Suppl 2): 52-60
25. Otway DT, Frost G, Johnston JD. Circadian rhythmicity in murine pre-adipocyte and adipocyte cells.Chronobiology International 2009; 26: 1340-1354.
24. Fustin JM, Dardente H, Wagner GC, Carter DA, Johnston JD, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG. Egr1 involvement in evening gene regulation by melatonin. (OPEN ACCESS) FASEB Journal 2009; 23: 764-773
23. Wagner G, Johnston JD, Clarke IJ, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG. Redefining the limits of day length responsiveness in a seasonal mammal. (OPEN ACCESS) Endocrinology 2008; 149: 32-39.
22. Johnston JD, Schuster C, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG. Regulation of the Ovine MT1 Melatonin Receptor Promoter: Interaction between Multiple Pituitary Transcription Factors at Different Phases of Development.Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 2007; 268: 59-66.
21. Wagner G, Johnston JD, Tournier BB, Ebling FJP, Hazlerigg DG. Melatonin induces gene-specific effects on rhythmic mRNA expression in the pars tuberalis of the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). European Journal of Neuroscience 2007; 25: 485-490.
20. Johnston JD, Hazlerigg DG, Wagner G. Melatonin receptors in neuroendocrine developmentIn Melatonin: from Molecules to Therapy (Cardinali DP, Pandi-Perumal SR eds; Nova Science Publishers Inc, NY) 2007
19. Hazlerigg DG, Johnston JD, Fustin J-M. The molecular basis to the circadian effects of melatonin.In Melatonin: from Molecules to Therapy (Cardinali DP, Pandi-Perumal SR eds; Nova Science Publishers Inc, NY) 2007
18. *Johnston JD, *Tournier BB, Andersson H, Masson-Pévet M, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG. Multiple effects of melatonin on rhythmic clock gene expression in the mammalian pars tuberalis. (OPEN ACCESS) Endocrinology 2006; 147: 959-965.*Joint 1st authors
17. Johnston JD, Klosen P, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG. Regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal rat pituitary. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2006; 18: 50-56.
16. Lincoln GA, Johnston JD, Andersson H, Wagner G, Hazlerigg DG. Photorefractoriness in mammals: dissociating a seasonal timer from the circadian-based photoperiod response. (OPEN ACCESS) Endocrinology 2005; 146: 3782-3790.
15. Johnston JD. Measuring seasonal time within the circadian system: regulation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei by photoperiod. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2005; 17: 459-465.
14. Andersson H, Johnston JD, Messager S, Hazlerigg DG, Lincoln GA. Photoperiod regulates circadian rhythms of clock gene expression in the ovine liver. General and Comparative Endocrinology 2005; 142: 357-363.
13. Johnston JD, Ebling FJP, Hazlerigg DG. Photoperiod regulates multiple gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis of the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). European Journal of Neuroscience 2005; 21: 2967-2974.
12. Hazlerigg DG, Ebling FJP, Johnston JD. Photoperiod differentially regulates rhythms of gene expression in the rostral and caudal suprachiasmatic nuclei. (OPEN ACCESS) Current Biology 2005; 15: R449-R450.
11. Johnston JD, Bashforth R, Diack A, Andersson H, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG. Rhythmic melatonin secretion does not correlate with the expression of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, inducible cyclic adenosine monophosphate early repressor, period1 or cryptochrome1 mRNA in the sheep pineal. Neuroscience 2004; 124: 789-795.
10. Johnston JD. Photoperiodic regulation of prolactin secretion: changes in intra-pituitary signalling and lactotroph heterogeneity. (OPEN ACCESS) Journal of Endocrinology 2004; 180: 351-356.
9. Hazlerigg DG, Andersson H, Johnston JD, Lincoln GA. Molecular characterisation of the long day response in the Soay sheep, a seasonal mammal. (OPEN ACCESS) Current Biology 2004; 14: 334-339.
8. Johnston JD, Stirland JA, White MRH, Davis, JRE, Loudon ASI. Heterogeneous regulation of individual lactotroph cells by photoperiod in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 2003; 134: 182-186.
7. *Carr A-JF, *Johnston JD, Semikhodskii AG, Nolan T, Cagampang FRA, Stirland JA, Loudon ASI. Photoperiod differentially regulates circadian oscillators in central and peripheral tissues of the Syrian hamster. (OPEN ACCESS) Current Biology 2003; 13: 1543-1548.*Joint first authors
6. Johnston JD, Cagampang FRA, Stirland JA, Carr A-JF, White MRH, Davis JRE, Loudon ASI. Evidence for an endogenous per1- and ICER-independent seasonal timer in the hamster pituitary gland. (OPEN ACCESS) FASEB Journal 2003; 17: 810-815.
5. Johnston JD, Messager S, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG. Melatonin action in the pituitary: neuroendocrine synchroniser & developmental modulator? Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2003; 15: 405-408.
4. Johnston JD, Messager S, Ebling FJP, Williams LM, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone drives melatonin receptor down-regulation in the developing pituitary gland. (OPEN ACCESS) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2003; 100: 2831-2835.
3. *Stirland JA, *Johnston JD, Cagampang FRA, Morgan PJ, Castro MG, White MRH, Davis JRE, Loudon ASI. Photoperiodic regulation of prolactin gene expression in the Syrian hamster by a pars tuberalis-derived factor. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2001; 13: 147-157.*Joint first authors
2. Johnston JD, Price SA, Bristow DR. Flunitrazepam rapidly reduces GABAA receptor subunit protein expression via a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism. British Journal of Pharmacology 1998; 124: 1338-1340.
1. Johnston JD, Bristow DR. Regulation of GABAA receptor a1 subunit protein is a sensitive indicator of benzodiazepine agonist efficacy. European Journal of Pharmacology 1998; 248: 321-324.