Section of Chronobiology

Current research

Chronobiology has been a research strength at the University of Surrey since 1978, and experts from the Section are in frequent demand for media and consultancy work.

Our current research, which has recently been published in journals such as Current Biology, eLife,  Nature Communications, Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, covers the following areas:

• Central and peripheral clock mechanisms in humans and animal models.
• Molecular mechanisms underlying synchronisation of rhythms by light, melatonin, and food.
• Optimisation of treatment of circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders in shift workers, blind people and the elderly.
• Interaction between circadian rhythms, sleep, metabolism and cardiovascular function in general populations, shift workers and disease (Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and liver disease, HIV infection).
• Chrononutrition, and circadian rhythms and sleep as a global health issue.

Supporters and partners

Our research is supported by:

• Academy of Medical Sciences
• BBRSC
• EU
• MRC
• NIH
• Industrial partners.

We have wide international links with a range of organisations, including:

• Northwestern University
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Bath
• University of Bristol
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Groningen
• University of Padova
• University of São Paulo
• University of Witwatersrand.