PUBLIC LECTURE: Good Rhythms? On the survival value of Circadian rhythms in physiology and behaviour

You are invited to a free public lecture by Menno Gerkema, Professor of Chronbiology and Professor of Science, Business and Policy, University of Gronigen & UWA Distinguished Visitor in Neurobiology, School of Animal Biology

Circadian rhythms are overwhelmingly present in mammals and thought to be essential for their survival. The co-evolutionary aspects of sensory input mechanisms such as light detection, hearing and smell on the one hand and reproduction, food selection and anti-predator mechanisms on the other are integrated and tuned to time of day and day length and seasons from biological clocks that govern and coordinate behaviour and physiology of a species. But are we, are certain circumstances, better off without them? Research with some species has indicated that that might be the case. This lecture will focus on risks and benefits of altering these rhythms, in animals and humans.