INSTITUTE OF PHYSIOLOGY CAS

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In the center of our interest is the endogenous time-keeping system, circadian clock of mammals, including humans. The system temporally regulates rhythmic processes in our body so that they take place at the proper time of day and are optimally synchronized relative to each other.

A failure of the temporal regulation has a negative impact on human health. Using in vivo and in vitro models, we study the molecular mechanisms underlying the circadian clock as well as the resulting physiological and behavioral rhythms.

We focus on the following questions:

What are the mechanisms for entraining (synchronizing) the circadian system and what are the consequences of its failure?
How does the circadian system develop and how is it being entrained during ontogeny?
How is the circadian system of humans entrained in real life conditions, both in health and in disease?

Fig. PER2 protein in the SCN, 7 days ex vivo recording.

Projects

Circadian clock and mechanisms of entrainment

We explore the entrainment of the circadian clock and its disorders on various experimental models in vivo and in vitro. More

The ontogenesis of the biological clock of laboratory rat

The mammalian biological clock initiates its ontogenesis already during embryonic development in the maternal uterus. Newborn mammals are equipped with clock running in accordance with the maternal clock. We focus on investigating when and how do the newborn clock develop and entrain. More

The biological timing system in healthy volunteers and patients with neuropsychiatric disorders

Research in our laboratory focuses on the timing system not only in healthy volunteers but also in patients suffering from disorders associated with disrupted sleep pattern. The aim of our projects is to find connections between the functional state of the timing system and those disorders. More

Achievements

New publication: Modulation of single cell circadian response to NMDA by diacylglycerol lipase inhibition reveals a role of endocannabinoids in light entrainment of the suprachiasmatic nucleus

The paper provides new insights into the modulatory role of endocannabinoid signaling during the light entrainment of the SCN. More

New publication: Circadian alignment in a foster mother improves the offspring’s pathological phenotype.

Lucie Olejníková, Lenka Polidarová, Michal Behuliak, Martin Sládek and Alena Sumová. Circadian alignment in a foster mother improves the offspring’s pathological phenotype. Journal of Physiology (2018), DOI: 10.1113/JP275585. More

New publication: Aging does not compromise in vitro oscillation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei but makes it more vulnerable to constant light

New publication: Aging does not compromise in vitro oscillation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei but makes it more vulnerable to constant light More

New publication: Melatonin is a redundant entraining signal in the rat circadian system

New publication: Moderate Changes in the Circadian System of Alzheimer's Disease Patients Detected in Their Home Environment

Publications

Sládek; Martin - Liška; Karolína - Houdek; Pavel - Sumová; Alena . Modulation of single cell circadian response to NMDA by diacylglycerol lipase inhibition reveals a role of endocannabinoids in light entrainment of the suprachiasmatic nucleus . Neuropharmacology. 2021; 185(Mar 1)); 108455 . IF = 5.250 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Ralph; M. R. - Shi; S.-Q. - Johnson; C. H. - Houdek; Pavel - Shrestha; T. C. - Crosby; P. - O´Neill; J. S. - Sládek; Martin - Stinchcombe; A. R. - Sumová; Alena . Targeted modification of the Per2 clock gene alters circadian function in mPer2(luciferase) (mPer2(Luc)) mice . PLoS Computational Biology. 2021; 17(5)); e1008987 . IF = 4.475 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Lužná; Vendula - Liška; Karolína - Sládek; Martin - Sumová; Alena . Hormonal fine-tuning of clock in decidual region of mouse placenta by dopamine; melatonin; insulin; leptin and ghrelin . Placenta. 2021; 108(May); 55-63 . IF = 3.481 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Lužná; Vendula - Houdek; Pavel - Liška; Karolína - Sumová; Alena . Challenging the Integrity of Rhythmic Maternal Signals Revealed Gene-Specific Responses in the Fetal Suprachiasmatic Nuclei . Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2021; 14(Jan 7)); 613531 . IF = 4.677 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Liška; Karolína - Sládek; Martin - Čečmanová; Vendula - Sumová; Alena . Glucocorticoids reset circadian clock in choroid plexus via period genes . Journal of Endocrinology. 2021; 248(2); 155-166 . IF = 4.286 [ASEP] [ doi ]

	Lenka Polidarová, PhD. postdoc on maternal leave
	RNDr. Pavel Houdek scientist
	Petra Honzlová grad student
	Kateryna Semenovykh grad student

	Milica Drapšin grad student
	Philipp Greiner grad student
	Michaela Kudrnáčová grad student
	Tereza Mičkerová grad student
	Eva Tlustá technician

Laboratory of Biological Rhythms