Rhythms of the Body in Health and Disease: Breaking News Around the Clock
Biological rhythms, particularly circadian rhythms, are fundamental regulators of physiological processes across a range of organisms. In humans, these 24-hour cycles orchestrate numerous functions critical for maintaining fitness and health. Circadian rhythms not only respond to sleep-wake cycle, but also play a pivotal role in coordinating metabolism, brain function, cardiovascular homeostasis, and immune responses. Disruptions to these rhythms have been linked to a variety of health conditions, from metabolic disorders to neuropsychiatric diseases, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The Interdisciplinary Center for Health Science and the Bio@SNS, Biology Laboratory of the Scuola Normale Superiore, are organizing the workshop “Rhythms of the Body in Health and Disease: Breaking News Around the Clock”, to be held at the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa on October 25, 2024 (9:15 - 18:00). The conference brings together leading international experts from world-renowned institutions such as Cambridge University, Karolinska Institute, Imperial College London, and various Italian Universities. Together, they will explore the molecular, cellular, physiological, and clinical implications of biological rhythms.
Free registration and abstract submission for poster presentation at THIS LINK.
Presentations will cover recent advances in understanding the molecular biology of circadian clock mechanisms, signaling pathways and the crosstalk between endogenous clock in different tissues that influence metabolism and energy homeostasis. Researchers will also discuss how circadian rhythms impact brain function and cognitive health, with a focus on neurodevelopmental disorders. Cardiovascular function will be examined with regard to circadian regulation, highlighting how disruptions in daily and infradian rhythms may increase the risk of heart disease. The workshop will also bridge cutting-edge molecular biology with clinical findings, emphasizing how insights from basic research are being translated into potential therapeutic interventions for circadian rhythm-related disorders. The importance of maintaining biological rhythms integrity through lifestyle interventions, such as diet and sleep patterns, will also be discussed, offering a comprehensive view of how biological rhythms affect human health at every level. Additionally, a poster session will be organized to provide young scientists with a valuable opportunity to showcase their research and engage in meaningful discussions with renowned international experts.
This gathering represents an exciting opportunity to exchange ideas, present new findings, and foster collaborations between leading scientists in the field of chronobiology and medicine. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the complex and pervasive influence of biological rhythms on health and disease, and the latest strategies for mitigating the negative impacts of circadian disruption in clinical settings.