FBS Colloquia No.406Synaptic Plasticity Group

Development of a new model system for studying the circadian rhythms of a diurnal primate, the common marmoset.

Circadian rhythms are observed across a range of phenomena in organisms on Earth, from gene expression to individual behavior. Research on the mechanisms underlying the internal clock that drives circadian rhythms is actively pursued in various organisms. In mammals, extensive knowledge has been accumulated mainly through studies using rodents such as mice, rats, and hamsters. These rodents are nocturnal and exhibit polyphasic sleep, characterized by multiple sleep-wake cycles throughout the day. In contrast, humans are diurnal, typically remaining awake during the day and sleeping continuously at night, a pattern known as monophasic sleep. Recently, concern has grown about sleep disorders and increased risks of lifestyle-related diseases caused by disrupted circadian rhythms, such as those resulting from shift work or nocturnal lifestyles. As a result, the need to establish diurnal animal models with sleep-wake rhythms similar to those of humans has become increasingly urgent. In this seminar, we will introduce our efforts to develop an experimental system using common marmosets, small diurnal primates.