Physiological Adaptation and Biorhythm Group

This work group studies the physiological and biochemical nature of adaptation processes induced by primarily abiotic environmental factors. Special attention is particularly devoted to chronobiology, the science of temporal organization of organisms and cold adaptation. The work utilizes methods of classic physiology, histology and modern molecular biological approaches such as state-of-the-art infrared thermography. Experiments are conducted mostly on animal models as well as on human volunteers. Findings obtained have both theoretical and pre-clinical significance.

Current areas of research:
-   principles of light synchronization of the mammalian circadian clock in suprachiasmatic nuclei and the ontogenetic development of the sensitivity of the circadian clock to light
-  influence of non-luminous stimuli on the circadian system:
- effect of long-term or acute administration of opiates or cannabinoids on the circadian system (in cooperation with the membrane receptor and cell signaling group and the National Institute of Mental Health)
- interaction of the immune and circadian systems
- mechanisms of effect of social stress on the circadian system
- effect of cerebral degeneration on the circadian system, effect on non-luminous stimuli on the circadian system (in cooperation with the Institute of Pathological Physiology of the Charles University Medical Faculty in Pilsen)
-  circadian nature of primary and secondary sleep disorders in humans (in cooperation with the National Institute of Mental Health)

Head: doc. RNDr. Zdeňka Bendová, Ph.D. (E-mail: zdenka.bendova@natur.cuni.cz, tel. 22191796)
Laboratory: Viničná 7, 1^st floor, door no. 136