![]() ![]() ![]() In her studies of the molecular processes, (i.e. Hurley’s research investigates both the molecular processes that run the clock as well as what the clock is controlling to impart its effect on daily life. Her work is an ideal addition to the School of Science and we are delighted to welcome her as a colleague.” Hurley is creating a foundation of understanding that will advance biotechnological processes as well as human health. “In helping to uncover the specific processes of our internal clock, Dr. “Biomolecular processes are astoundingly complex and interconnected, and the circadian clock is a prime example of that interdependence,” said Curt Breneman, dean of the Rensselaer School of Science. This clock controls a great deal of human behavior, and when it is out of sync, this can cause a host of issues.” “Even if we put living cells in an environment with no cues as to time of day, the circadian clock will continue to synchronize the behavior of those cells to a 24-hour cycle. “There is a molecular clock in our bodies that coordinates many aspects of human physiology with the planetary 24-hour cycle of light and dark,” said Jennifer Hurley, who recently joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and member of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Defects in the circadian clock or disruptions in circadian rhythms are linked to increased rates of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, among others, in humans. The sleep/wake cycle of our circadian rhythm is a familiar concept, but less well known is that a circadian clock – a series of molecular events – can be found in nearly every living cell, from microbes to humans. NovemCircadian Clocks – The Rhythm of Life, From Microbes to Humans By Mary L. ![]()
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