Understanding how circadian rhythms affect metabolism and fitness
Official title: Connecting Circadian Clock Dynamics to Metabolism and Fitness
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11011830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how our body's internal clock affects how we process food and energy, using bacteria to learn more about this connection, with the hope of finding new ways to help our cells stay healthy and adapt to changes around them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 20, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $435,126 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156429-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in understanding the impact of circadian rhythms on their metabolism and overall health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable circadian rhythms and no metabolic disorders may not receive significant benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between circadian rhythms and metabolism using a bacterial model system. By employing techniques such as live cell microscopy and protein biochemistry, the researchers aim to uncover how the circadian clock influences health and fitness. The study focuses on creating new technologies to analyze metabolic processes and develop oscillatory systems that mimic natural cellular functions. Ultimately, the goal is to understand how timing in metabolism can help cells adapt to changing environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights on how to optimize health and fitness through the regulation of circadian rhythms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding circadian rhythms and their effects on metabolism, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rust, Michael — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rust, Michael
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.