Society for Research on Biological Rhythms Newsletter Volume 4, Number 1 June 2013

change of scenery. The site for the 2014 meeting will be at Big Sky, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains (http://www.bigskyresort.com/). You'll fly into Bozeman, Montana, home of: (1) Montana State University, where one of Chronobiology's founding parents, Colin Pittendrigh, was an adjunct Professor after retiring from Stanford University, and (2) the Museum of the Rockies, featuring one of the largest and most important dinosaur collections In This Issue – in the world (especially of T. rex). You'll drive or ride the SRBR conference bus from the President’s Message p. 1 Bozeman airport to Big Sky along the gorgeous New Editor of JBR p. 2 Gallatin River (site of filming of many of the SRBR 2014 Program Suggestions p. 2 scenes in the movie, "A River Runs Through It"). Chronobiology Research Spotlight p. 3 You'll be close to one of the most interesting Job Opportunities p. 4 natural phenomenon of the world, Yellowstone Recently Funded Grants p. 6 National Park, and I encourage you to consider NIH Contacts p. 7 visiting the park either before or after the meeting (http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.co m/). The 2014 SRBR Meeting is headed for the Rockies on IMPORTANTLY, please note that the dates of the 2014 meeting will be June 14‐18, 2014. This June 14‐18, 2014! will be about a month later than we've usually had our meeting in Florida, and is similar in As mentioned at the banquet of the timing to the SRBR meeting in 2004 at Whistler, SRBR 2012 meeting, your Board of Directors British Columbia. We're meeting in June has been busy trying to find a new site for the because May is cool in Montana, but June is 2014 meeting to give us a fresh environment in beautiful. Make your plans now! which to discuss chronobiology. I am happy to announce that we have found an exciting site See you in the mountains! for the 2014 meeting that will indeed be a Carl Johnson

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Transitions, transitions: JBR Soliciting suggestions for has a new Editor‐in‐Chief! SRBR 2014

After 14 years of exemplary service, The SRBR Program Committee is in the Marty Zatz has decided to retire from the post process of planning the 2014 Meeting, which of JBR Editor‐in‐Chief. We all appreciate will be held in Big Sky Resort, Montana on June Marty's insightful and pithy Commentaries and 14‐18. The Committee wants to ensure that a value his unique talents. He will be sorely broad cross‐section of subdisciplines within the missed. A heartfelt thanks and bravo to Marty!! field of Biological Rhythms is represented in the A committee chaired by Terry Page and program. Several broad topics are already composed of Rae Silver, Paul Hardin, Stacy chosen for the symposia; however, to Harmer, and Ken Wright has met and accomplish this goal, we have left several slots considered who might be able to fill Marty's “open” or “flexible” so that you can have "very big shoes" as JBR Editor. After considering significant input into the intellectual content of many candidates and personally interviewing the meeting. several finalists, the committee nominated Bill For those of you who wish make Schwartz, who was also acclaimed as a terrific suggestions for symposia topics, please email choice by the SRBR Board of Directors. me at [email protected] with the following Thankfully, Bill accepted the nomination to information: serve as JBR's next Editor‐in‐Chief. So, please thank Marty the next time 1) a title for the proposed symposium you see him for all he has done for the JBR (and 2) a short (about three sentence) description of the SRBR) and also thank Bill for taking up the the proposed symposium baton! I also want to express my gratitude to 3) and, an illustrative list of 4 potential speakers Terry Page and his hard‐working committee who might be suitable, were the symposium to who did such an excellent job of be selected. assessing/interviewing candidates and It is inevitable that many of you will ultimately identifying Bill Schwartz for the JBR recommend topics that are of broad interest, Editorship. and already being considered as symposia topics. Likewise, suggestions may be deemed Respectfully, Carl Johnson too specialized by the Program Committee. In such cases, the Committee may wish to modify or broaden such topics, or to reserve the topic for a slide session. Finally, because of the limited number of symposia, we will likely not be able to include all of the proposed topics. Your participation in this process is greatly appreciated. On behalf of the Program Committee, I thank you and look forward to your suggestions.

Erik Herzog

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ST: Do you have any pets? Chronobiology Research KO: I had a Java sparrow for ten years. Her name was Copy. My family did not use a birdcage but Spotlight allowed her to fly freely inside my home. She woke up 11:00 AM and go to sleep at 11:00 PM ‐ her ST: Where did you circadian time should be shifted. She ate almost grow up? Tell me same cooked food for us (tofu, miso soup etc…), so about your family. you can understand that Japanese food is good Koji Ode (KO): I was even for Java sparrow’s health! born in Nagano, Japan and moved to Hyogo, ST: What is your favorite book? Japan when I was 5. KO: Momo by Michael Ende, a fantasy story about Hyogo is located in time‐stealer, is my favorite one. I read this book southwestern Japan when I was an elementary school student. …This where people love might be my “true” first time to get interested in joking and have commercial spirit. Many of my Chronobiology. Also, I remember that the family are craftsmen: my grandfather was an atmosphere and phrasing of The Dark is Rising by engineer, my grandmother is a Japanese Susan Cooper inspired me in elementary school. calligrapher, my uncle makes microscopes as an optical physicist and my mother is a koto (Japanese ST: What kind of music do you like? traditional instrument) player. KO: I like rock music. I firstly started listening European and USA rock in junior high school. Since ST: How did you get interested in Chronobiology? then, I always enjoy listening to from 1980’ to KO: During my PhD, I studied DNA replication using recent rock music. Xenopus frog eggs, with a focus on a protein called geminin. I used mathematical modeling together ST: Tell me about your research with biochemical analysis to studying the KO: I am working in Laboratory of Synthetic Biology mechanism of all‐or‐none inhibition. As the (Hiro Ueda’s lab) in Quantitative Biology Center, biochemical oscillations including cell cycle (in RIKEN, Japan as a Post‐doc. This center launched in Xenopu) and circadian cycle are mathematically 2011 focuses on quantitative understanding and modeled in a somewhat similar way, I became modeling of biological dynamics. My interest is how familiar with circadian field. I discussed my the dynamics of elementary reactions such as research on DNA replication with Hiro Ueda and phosphorylation kinetics or protein turnover rate joined his lab meeting several times. Circadian define the overall dynamics of circadian oscillation. oscillation study attracted me, and I decided switch It is well understood that nonlinear process cell cycle to circadian field in my Post‐doc research. is important for creating complex dynamics such as all‐or‐none response and stable oscillation. ST: What are your hobbies? Phosphorylation at multiple sites on one substrate I played high school tennis, and then worked in has been proposed to be one of the biochemical tennis academy for several years. After my PhD, I mechanisms underlying nonlinear phosphorylation rarely play tennis (last time was in SRBR 2012 kinetics. CKI is a conserved factor that regulates meeting!). I often go bouldering with my PhD circadian period. Interestingly, circadian substrates supervisor who is a good climber who asks lab of CKI (PERs and FRQ) are less conserved across members to go climbing. Bouldering is interesting phyla but share a similar property – they are because it is an excellent exercise not only for my phosphorylated at multiple sites. This suggests that body but also for my mind: to be a good climber, multi‐site phosphorylation is seriously important for you need calm mind and logical thinking. oscillatory behavior. Thus, I decided to start my research by thinking theoretical model to abstract

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the importance of multi‐site phosphorylation in the context of biochemical oscillation. Looking for a Job? I began by considering the biochemically simplest condition possible for oscillations: a Check out the SRBR website at www.srbr.org for reversible phosphorylation process of one substrate more details about job openings. driven by one kinase and one phosphatase. I found that if those enzymes catalyze the phosphorylation Post‐Doctoral Position at multiple (two or more) sites of the substrate, the A post‐doctoral research position is phosphorylation level could show stable oscillation available in the laboratory of Professor Michael under certain parameter combinations. To identify A. Henson in the Chemical Engineering typical conditions for the oscillation, I collaborated Department at the University of Massachusetts. with a physicist Dr. Craig Jolley, who carried out The research involves the development of clever massive parameter search and classification molecular and multicellular models of of oscillatory parameter sets. The results clearly intercellular synchronization and rhythm show that the underlying oscillation mechanism is compatible with that proposed in KaiABC model generation in the mammalian circadian system. based on careful biochemical investigation. It is This interdisciplinary systems biology project is quite striking that our approach began with no funded by the National Institute of General constraining assumptions about what kind of Medical Sciences. Close interactions with oscillatory mechanism should appear and assumed circadian biologists, bioengineers, computer very simple enzyme‐substrate system with no exotic scientists and applied mathematicians will be property, should reach similar oscillatory required. Candidates with a Ph.D. in biology, mechanism. engineering, or a related field and the following The next challenge then is to find a background are sought: (1) circadian biology; phosphorylation oscillator or make one. Being an (2) biological systems modeling; and (3) experimental biologist, I am trying to set up an in complex systems dynamics. vitro system that satisfies the simple reversible phosphorylation condition. I also investigate how The position is available starting phosphorylation status of the major circadian September 1, 2013 for a period of one year. A factors changes during circadian cycle. Exploring six to twelve month extension is possible with post‐translational regulation of circadian cycle is an satisfactory progress and availability of funds. interesting topic, because post‐translational The stipend and benefits are competitive. modifications can be the interface between core Please send a letter of application, a curriculum circadian clock network and cellular signals. vitae and three letters of recommendation to:

Dr. Michael A. Henson Professor Department of Chemical Engineering University of Massachusetts Amherst 686 N. Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01003‐9303 Phone: 413‐545‐3481 Fax: 413‐545‐1647 E‐mail: [email protected] The Ueda Lab.

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Postdoctoral fellowship opportunity 2013 Chronobiology Gordon Circadian control of cardiovascular function Research Conference A postdoctoral fellow position is We invite you to attend the 2013 immediately available for an ongoing project to Chronobiology Gordon Research Conference define the impact of the circadian system and (GRC), on July 14‐19 at Salve Regina University, sleep on cardiovascular function in humans. Newport, RI. The Conference will also be The successful applicant will be expected to preceded by the Chronobiology Gordon complete this ongoing project and develop new Research Seminar (GRS), a one‐day event for research initiatives. The selected candidate will students and post‐doctoral fellows. GRS oral work under the co‐supervision of Dr. Frank presentations will be selected from submitted Scheer and Dr. Steven Shea, at the Medical abstracts. At least 2‐3 presentations will be Chronobiology Program (MCP), at Brigham and selected at the end of the GRS for a full Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. presentation at the GRC. Because space is The MCP investigates the mechanisms limited, early registration is advisable. More underlying the daily variation in disease information, including GRC and GRS programs, severity, including the morning peak in heart can be found at: attacks, and investigates the consequences of http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2013 circadian disturbances, such as in shift work. &program=chrono We primarily study humans. More information http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2013 about the MCP can be found at: &program=grs_chrono https://sleep.med.harvard.edu/research/labs/5 4. Michael Rosbash, Chair of the GRC We seek a post‐doctoral fellow (MD or Jerome Menet, Chair of the GRS PhD) who has a strong background in human physiology, ideally in cardiovascular function and/or exercise physiology. Expected start XIII Congress of the EBRS date: immediate, or soon thereafter. I would like to invite you to the XIII To apply for a position, the following Congress of the European Biological Rhythms documents should be sent by email to Dr. Frank Society from 18 – 22 August 2013 Scheer ([email protected]) and Dr. (see: www.ebrs‐online.org/ebrs2013.html; the Steven Shea ([email protected]): preliminary programme can be seen  Cover letter including motivation at: www.ebrs‐  CV including contact information for online.org/ebrs2013_programme). Please take three references advantage of the reduced conference fees and  Although this is not a condition of register at your earliest convenience. employment, please indicate whether A timely overview of participants would help us or not you would be eligible for an NIH greatly in our organisation. For any questions training fellowship (US citizen or concerning the conference, please write permanent resident). to ebrs2013@ebrs‐online.org.

Hoping to see you in Munich

Till Roenneberg, EBRS President

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PI: Park, Kevin Kyung Congratulations!!!! University of Miami School of Medicine Recently Funded Grants Title: Regeneration and reconnection of damaged optic nerve This segment highlights recent grant awardees. Agency/PO: NEI/ Agarwal, Neeraj The information was gathered by searching Review Cmte: Special Emphasis Panel (DPVS) publicly available databases (for the period from early November 2012 to early March PI: Stone, Richard Alan 2013). University of Pennsylvania Title: Retinal circadian rhythms and refractive National Institutes of Health, USA development Agency/PO: NEI/ Wujek, Jerome R R01 Review Cmte: Special Emphasis Panel (BVS)

PI: Callahan, Leigh A R21 University of Kentucky Title: Effects of sleep deprivation on infection PI: Burris, Thomas induced organ failure Scripps Florida Agency/PO: NHLBI/ Laposky, Aaron D Title: treatment of alcohol induced hepatic Review Cmte: Surgery, Anesthesiology and injury with rev‐erb ligands Trauma Study Section (SAT) Agency/PO: NIAAA/ Radaeva, Svetlana Review Cmte: Health Services Research Review PI: Herzog, Erik Subcommittee (AA) Washington University Title: Neuronal excitability in the regulation of PI: Dennery, Phyllis A. circadian rhythms Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia Agency/PO: NIGMS/ Sesma, Michael A. Title: Regulation of the lung circadian clock by Review Cmte: Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1‐ heme oxygenase‐1 MDCN‐N (02)) Agency/PO: NHLBI/Laposky, Aaron D Review Cmte: Lung Injury, Repair, and PI: Lang, Richard A Remodeling Study Section (LIRR) Children's Hospital Medical Center Cinci Title: Light regulated vascular development of the eye National Science Foundation, USA Agency/PO: NEI/ Shen, Grace L Review Cmte: Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1‐ PI: Chen, Z. Jeffrey CB‐G (02)) University of Texas At Austin Co‐Pi: Frank G. Harmon University of California ‐ Berkeley/USDA‐ARS Title: Genomic and functional analysis of circadian rhythms and growth vigor in maize Agency/PO: IOS/Diane Jofuku Okamuro Review Cmte: Plant Genome Research Project

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PI: Stan, Mircea Danny Lewin, PhD, D ABSM University of Virginia (301) 435‐0199; [email protected] Title: Clash ‐ cross‐layer accelerated self‐ healing: circadian rhythms for resilient National Institute of Aging (NIA) electronic systems Mack Mackiewicz, PhD Agency/PO: CCF/Sankar Basu (301) 496‐9350; [email protected] Review Cmte: Failure Resistant Systems (FRS) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Canadian Institutes of Health Research Alcoholism (NIAAA)

PI: Cheng, Hai‐Ying M Ellen Witt, PhD University of Toronto (301) 443‐6545; [email protected] Title: Translational and post‐translational control of the mammalian circadian clock Lindsey Grandison, PhD Agency/PO: CIHR, Institute of Neurosciences, (301) 443‐0606; [email protected] Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Review Cmte: BSA Behavioural Sciences ‐ A and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

PI: Lim, Andrew S William Tonkins, Dr PH Sunnybrook Research Institute (Toronto) (301) 594‐5032; [email protected] Title: Identifying genetic determinants of human sleep and circadian rhythms National Cancer Institute (NCI) Agency/PO: CIHR, Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) Ann O'Mara, PhD, RN Review Cmte: BSA Behavioural Sciences ‐ B (301) 496‐8541; [email protected]

Paige McDonald, PhD, MPH (301) 435‐5037; [email protected]

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child NIH Program Staff Contacts Health & Human Development (NICHD) for Sleep and Circadian Rosalind King, PhD Research (301) 435‐6986; [email protected]

National Center on Sleep Disorders Research Beth Ansel, PhD, CCC‐SLP (NCSDR) (301) 402‐2242; [email protected] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Lynne Haverkos MD, MPH Michael Twery, PhD (301) 435‐6896; [email protected] (301) 435‐0199; [email protected] Nancy Shinowara, PhD Aaron Laposky, PhD (301) 435‐6838; [email protected] (301) 435‐0199; [email protected] National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

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Harold Gordon, PhD D. Lee Alekel, PhD (301) 496‐4877; [email protected] (301) 443‐8374; [email protected]

National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Kidney Disease (NIDDK) (OBSSR)

Corinne Silva. PhD William Elwood, PhD (301) 451‐7335; [email protected] (301) 402‐0116; [email protected] Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Barbara Sorkin, PhD (301) 435‐3605; [email protected] Laurie Tompkins, PhD (301) 594‐0943; [email protected] Office for Research on Women's Health (ORWH)

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Indira Jevaji, MD (301) 402‐1770; [email protected] Aleksandra Vicentic, PhD (301) 443‐1576; [email protected]

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Merrill Mitler, PhD (301) 496‐9964; [email protected]

Linda Porter, PhD (301) 496‐9964; [email protected]

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

Xenia T. Tigno, PhD, MS (Epi), MS (Physio) (301) 594‐2775; [email protected]

Yvonne Bryan, PhD (301) 496‐9623; [email protected]

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Rosemarie Filart, MD, MPH, MBA (301) 435‐0178; [email protected]

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

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