How your body's 24-hour clock affects metabolism and infection
Circadian regulation of physiological functions
This work looks at how the body's internal daily clock controls metabolism and immune responses in ways that could matter for people with sleep problems, metabolic conditions, or recurring infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11374387 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, researchers are using animal models like fruit flies and mice to learn how daily rhythms in gene activity drive metabolism, sleep, and responses to bacteria. The team has developed tools to strengthen or weaken biological clocks and will use those tools to see which clock-controlled functions change disease-related outcomes. Much of the focus is on clock-driven metabolism and how its disruption can worsen infections or metabolic health. The goal is to identify specific clock-linked mechanisms that could be targeted to improve treatment timing or develop new therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic sleep disruption, metabolic disorders (for example diabetes), or recurrent bacterial infections would be the most likely future candidates for related clinical work.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to circadian biology or who are not interested in participating in future human studies based on animal-model findings may not see direct benefit from this grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to better timing of treatments or new therapies that reduce infections and improve metabolic health and sleep.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human research has shown the body clock influences immunity and metabolism, so this work builds on established findings though direct human treatments remain an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shirasu-Hiza, Michele M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Shirasu-Hiza, Michele M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.