Circadian Rhythms and Their Impact on Aging

Biological rhythms time the ebb and flow of virtually every physiological process, and their mutual coordination guarantees the integrity of the organism over space and time. Aging leads to the disintegration of this coordination, as well as to changes in the amplitude and/or frequency of the underlying rhythms. The results of this are accelerated loss of health during aging, and in experimental model systems curtailed lifespan occurs. This book will examine the machinery that constitutes circadian systems and how they impact physiologic processes. It will also discuss how disturbances of circadian rhythms can lead to complex diseases associated with aging. Much of this treatment will focus on metabolism and genome stability. Importantly, the chapters in this book will encompass work in several different models, in addition to human. The book will conclude with a discussion of modeling approaches to biologic cycles and chronotherapy, for future research and translation.

S. Michal Jazwinski, Ph.D. is the John W. Deming, M.D. Regents Chair in Aging, Professor of Medicine, and Director of the Tulane Center for Aging at Tulane University. His research on various aspects of aging has been funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIH) and private foundations, and it spans over thirty years. It includes genetic studies in model organisms and multidisciplinary studies in humans.

Victoria P. Belancio, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Structural and Cellular Biology at Tulane University. Her research on retrotransposon-associated genomic instability has been funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIH) and private foundations. It includes projects investigating how circadian disruption impacts DNA damage induced by retroelements and whether this damage influences mammalian aging.

Steven M. Hill, Ph.D. is the Edmond and Lily Safra Chair for Breast Cancer Research, Professor of Structural & Cellular Biology, and Director of the Tulane Center for Circadian Biology at Tulane University. His research on various aspects of circadian biology and breast cancer has been funded by the National Cancer Institute (NIH), the Army Department of Defense Breast Cancer Program, and private foundations, and spans over 25 years. His recent research efforts have focused on the impact of circadian/melatonin disruption by light at night on human breast cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.