Following last weekend’s transition from daylight saving time to standard time, several researchers from the BioClock Consortium appeared in the media. In interviews, news articles, and radio and television programs, they provided scientific background to the debate on changing the clocks. According to the researchers, the discussion is not simply about gaining an extra hour […]
Even during critical illness, the biological clock continues to play an important role. Understanding and accurately measuring 24-hour rhythms in intensive care patients is therefore essential. A new review by BioClock researchers examines how circadian rhythms are measured in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, what these measurements reveal, and how future research in this field […]
How well do our working hours actually align with our biological clock? BioClock researcher Heidi Lammers-van der Holst recently spoke about this on BNR Nieuwsradio, following new Finnish research into chronotype and work-related disability. The study followed over 5,000 people for twelve years. Their chronotype was determined, and records were kept of whether they became […]
BioClock was proudly represented at the latest biannual UK Clock Club meeting that was held on September 17 in Norwich, organized by BioClocks UK, the network for biological rhythms research in the UK. The event brings together researchers from across the United Kingdom to share the latest scientific insights, build connections, and strengthen the circadian […]
In a new study, BioClock researcher Ward Vleeshouwers demonstrates that the time at which the immune system first comes into contact with an antigen, for example, through vaccination, influences the immune response. The study was carried out in mice and shows that the biological clock plays an important role in building long-term protection. How do […]
In preterm babies, the biological clock is not yet fully developed. As a result, they are heavily dependent on their mothers – for example, through breastfeeding – to help regulate and train their biological clock. BioClock researcher Demy van Gilst had previously found that the nutrients in breast milk follow a daily rhythm. This new […]
The smallest lights can only be seen when it is truly dark. Unfortunately, genuine darkness has become increasingly difficult to find in the Netherlands. A recent article in de Volkskrant takes readers on a glow-worm expedition in Amsterdam’s Vliegenbos, an initiative that helps raise awareness about the importance of darkness. Led by writer and BioClock […]
This month, the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) is dedicated to sleep and night work. As we at BioClock know, good sleep forms an essential foundation for health and well-being. That is why LUMC is organizing various lectures, activities, and workshops to raise awareness among employees about the importance of sleep and to provide them […]
The Football World Cup is just around the corner. This year, the tournament will take place in North America, a location with about a 6 to 9 hour time difference from the Netherlands. This time difference has a major impact, both for our players and for fans at home. BioClock researchers Roelof Hut and Laura […]
BioClock researcher Ines Chaves was recently invited to speak at theFabric of Society Congress in Belgium. This 2-day meeting brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry to explore how science can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable society. Ines shared insights on the importance of the circadian rhythm. She highlighted how disruptions to our internal biological […]
It was a big celebration in Katwijk’s duinvallei. The mayor and BioClock professor Joke Meijer recently planted the first seeds there for a brand-new BioClock garden! The garden is part of “Zanderijtuinders 2.0/Duinlandjes,” an initiative by Gerard Bol. The BioClock garden will feature flowers that bloom at different times of the day. Think of the […]
We are proud to share that BioClock coordinator Prof. Joke Meijer has been awarded a royal knighthood. A unique and more than deserved recognition of her contribution to chronobiology and the scientific field as a whole. During her goodbye-lecture Joke was appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. This prestigious honour is awarded […]
Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant recently spoke to BioClock researcher Christian Tudorache, who works at the Institute of Biology in Leiden. Together with his team, he has succeeded in breeding confident and shy zebrafish. A link between these traits and the production of the stress hormone came as no surprise. What they had not expected, however, […]
BioClock researchers have been making their voices heard, contributing to podcasts, newspapers, and national television. Recent media appearances covered topics ranging from student exam timing to ambitious plans to illuminate the night sky using mirrors in space. Podcast: Stress Navigation In the podcast Stress Navigation, an initiative of the Stress in Action consortium, BioClock researcher […]
On 27 March 2026, an international community of chronobiologists gathered at Leiden University’s Kamerlingh Onnes Building for the 4th Dutch Chronobiology Symposium. This full‑day meeting was dedicated to circadian biology it all of its many forms, attracting researchers from neurology and immunology to ecology and light design. The symposium opened with a keynote lecture by […]
As we transition into daylight saving time once again, the biological clock takes center stage in public discussion. Several BioClock researchers recently had the opportunity to share their expertise in national media, offering insights into the historical roots of daylight saving time, its societal impact, and its consequences for our biological clock. The History of […]
Light is one of the most powerful signals synchronizing our biological clock to the outside world, but people differ widely in how sensitive they are to light. A new BioClock study, recently published in SLEEP, takes a closer look at how these individual differences in light sensitivity relate to chronotype – whether someone is naturally […]
Artificial light at night has a large impact on our environment, and nocturnal insects are particularly sensitive to it. Previous BioClock research already showed us that color affects insect attraction. But now, thanks to a new study by BioClock researcher Gabriel Charvalakis, we know that it is also affected by the time of night. The […]
It attracted a quite some attention from local residents when BioClock researchers Hannah Broeckx and Sander Buddendorf came to hang their measuring equipment on lampposts in The Hague and Rotterdam. They were conducting research into the effects of dimmed versus bright artificial light at night on urban pipistrelle bats and their prey: flying insects. We […]
BBC Winterwatch recently showcased a unique study led by Prof. Joke Meijer, head of the BioClock Consortium. The research from 2014 revealed that wild mice — and even other small animals — voluntarily use running wheels placed in their natural environment. These findings challenge the idea that wheel running is merely a behavior caused by […]
Human breast milk is surprisingly adaptive, consistently changing to best meet the baby’s needs. Even the time of day has been known to affect its composition. But what happens when a baby is born very prematurely? A new study by BioClock researchers Demy van Gilst and Inês Chaves aimed to find out if 24-hour variations are […]
Critically ill patients often experience severe disruption of their sleep cycles and circadian rhythm during their stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Constant artificial lighting, continuous nutritional intake, and 24/7 medical procedures interfere with the natural rhythms that normally help regulate our internal clock. Research shows that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in […]
Working night shifts can be demanding, as many night shift workers will recognize. What makes this work so challenging, and how can we improve this? In a recent article, popular Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant spoke with several BioClock researchers about the effects of night work and possible solutions.
As widely shared on our social media channels, the BioClock team was present at Lowlands Science 2025 last weekend (16–18 August), where we introduced festival visitors to the fascinating world of the biological clock. The initiative was led by Maaike van der Rhee, Demy van Gilst, Ward Vleeshouwers, and Gali Albalak. Under the motto “Too […]
New study highlights the importance of timing in physical activity Research by BioClock scientist Gali Albalak (Leiden University Medical Center) shows that not only how much we move, but also when we move can influence our mental health. The results indicate that people who are primarily active in the morning have a significantly lower risk […]
Biological clock & Student wellbeing Sleep problems are increasingly common among university students and are strongly linked to mood and anxiety disorders. An irregular day–night rhythm – caused by late bedtimes and social jetlag – worsens these complaints. What was studied? BioClock researcher Laura Pape (Leiden University) and her colleagues developed the digital self-help intervention […]
The night is full of life, if you look closely. Take part and capture a striking image that puts the natural world after sunset centre stage. Send in your photo by 14 September for the Photo Challenge “The Beauty of the Night.” In a world that grows ever brighter, this contest highlights the importance of […]
Artificial light at night may seem harmless. After all, it helps us see better, feel safer, and enjoy our cities after sunset. But for insects, night-time lighting can be a trap – literally. And since insects are essential for pollination and as food for birds and bats, the ripple effects are widespread. A new BioClock-study […]
Night is more than just a moment on the clock – it is a rich and diverse habitat we still know surprisingly little about. But what does ‘the night’ mean for our modern cities? For the latest Roundtable by the international platform The Nature of Cities (TNOC), researchers, designers, and policymakers from around the world […]
Higher temperatures amplify the effects of anthropogenic light at night on bats. A recent publication by Sander Buddendorf, a researcher at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) within the BioClock project, shows that common pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) are more strongly attracted to streetlights on warm nights — a behavior that disrupts their foraging patterns […]
Daylight Saving Time under scrutiny by NTR Wetenschap and NPO 3 op Reis On June 21 – the longest day of the year – NTR Wetenschap released a short video about the effects of light on our biological clock. Chronobiologist Inês Machado Chaves, affiliated with BioClock, explains how light impacts our bodies and why we […]
This weekend, Aotearoa New Zealand celebrates the start of the new year: Matariki, a festival rooted in the Māori lunar calendar. Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand, meaning “land of the long white cloud.” Matariki marks the reappearance of the Pleiades star cluster in the morning sky and is a time for reflection, remembrance, and […]
Last week, several BioClock researchers attended the 36th annual meeting of the Society for Light, Rhythms, and Circadian Health (SLRCH) in Boston — a vibrant gathering of international experts in the field of light, biological rhythms, and health. Heidi Lammers-van der Holst presented research by Maaike van der Rhee, and Raymond Noordam, Gali Albalak, Emma […]
At a festival like Lowlands, your biological clock is put to the test. With performances running deep into the night, little sleep, and constant stimulation, festivalgoers are bound to get exhausted. But what exactly does that do to your brain? This August, BioClock will be part of Lowlands Science 2025 to find out. Our team […]
How does artificial light at night affect the natural world — and our sleep? A recent episode of Het Klokhuis, a Dutch educational TV show for children, explores the science behind light pollution, featuring BioClock researcher Kamiel Spoelstra (NIOO-KNAW). Kamiel explains how streetlights can confuse insects, delay trees from shedding their leaves, and leave animals […]
What do running and hormones have in common? They both influence your biological clock — right down to the molecular level. We’re proud to share the latest scientific publication by our PhD candidate Ayano Shiba, in the Journal of Circadian Rhythms: “Voluntary Running and Estrous Cycle Modulate ΔFOSB in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus of the Wistar […]
Friday, May 16 marks UNESCO’s International Day of Light. On this day, BioClock and international partners draw attention to the importance of responsible light use for the health of people and nature. BioClock researchers were closely involved in the development of 26 international consensus statements, created as part of the Light for Public Health Initiative. […]
In a recent episode of De Nieuws BV on NPO Radio1, Kamiel Spoelstra, researcher researcher at BioClock and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, discussed the growing problem of artificial light pollution and its devastating impact on wildlife. A striking example comes from Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean, where young seabirds (storm-petrels) often crash […]
Last Tuesday, April 15, a large group of BioClock consortium members gathered at Erasmus MC for the semi-annual BioClock Progress Meeting. It was an inspiring and enjoyable day, during which several trainees presented the progress of their research projects. We were also honored by the presence of Dr. Mariana Astiz. She was one of the […]
Each April, the BioClock Consortium organizes a national conference to bring together chronobiologists from across the Netherlands to share scientific findings and inspire one another. The third edition of the Dutch Chronobiology Meeting took place this past Monday in the auditorium of Rotterdam’s City Hall, hosted by the Municipality of Rotterdam—one of BioClock’s partners. Almost […]
This past weekend, the BioClock consortium was present at Jaarbeursplein in Utrecht during Culturele Zondag — the festive launch of Dutch Health Week. On this sunny day filled with dance, music, and theatre, we added an educational and engaging twist to the program. Visitors could discover their chronotype — in other words: are you a […]
On Friday, March 28, 2025, the very first Bioclock Garden in the Netherlands was officially opened in the school gardens of Leiden. The opening was led by Prof. Joke Meijer on behalf of the Bioclock Consortium and attended by the mayor of Leiden and the board of the School Garden Association. The Bioclock Garden is […]
Afgelopen weekend vond de halfjaarlijkse klokwisseling plaats, waarbij we overschakelden naar de zomertijd. Naar aanleiding hiervan was prof. Joke Meijer, hoofd van het BioClock-consortium en hoogleraar hersenonderzoek aan de Universiteit Leiden, te gast bij het radioprogramma ‘NOS Met het Oog op Morgen’ op NPO Radio 1. In het interview pleitte zij voor het afschaffen van […]
The BioClock Consortium has released an official position statement advocating for the abolition of the biannual clock changes and the adoption of a fixed, healthy time zone: natural time. Our position: Choose natural time On the night of Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, March 30, 2025, the clocks will move forward by one hour once […]
Over the past two weeks, a part of the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam was transformed into a research center for the BioClock Consortium. The goal? To understand whether the biological clock of evening people is more sensitive to light than that of morning people.
On Friday, December 13, Hannah Broeckx won the poster prize during the annual Entomology Day organized by the Netherlands Entomological Society (NEV). The poster focused on Hannah’s research on the impact of light pollution on caterpillars.
Flexibility in activity timing may enable organisms to quickly adapt to environmental changes. Under global warming, diurnally adapted endotherms may achieve a better energy balance by shifting their activity towards cooler nocturnal hours.
Two young filmmakers,Tim Visser and Sander van Iersel, have made a beautiful documentary about light and light pollution, which was first shown at the Rotterdam Film Festival, 2023, featuring BioClock researcher Kamiel Spoelstra.
A new Dutch book about the biological clock will be released on October 20 – De klok met duizend wijzers, translated to The clock with a thousand hands – How the biological clock influences your life. Anneloes Opperhuizen and Marijke Gordijn wrote the book that explains what the biological clock is, how it works and […]
The national organization for public lighting in the Netherlands (OVLNL) have published an article about BioClock in the technical magazine for public lighting. The article is accessible here (in Dutch).: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/1f9692687c.html#page/9
From May till September of this year, Amsterdam has been the research site of a large moth-project. At over 50 different places in the city of Amsterdam, citizens have collected data on the presence of nocturnal moths. These insects are very important for the pollination of plants but are strongly reducing in number, partly due […]
Last Saturday, the BioClock researchers Merlijne Smit and Laura Kervezee were at the arts and science festival The Night of Discoveries. On this beautiful summer evening, they performed a short public outreach activity at the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. The festival visitors could do a short online test to discover whether they are a morning […]
In the national newspaper Trouw, a good article was published on the importance of a dark night. Not only to be able to see the stars, also for life on Earth. Read it here (in Dutch).
By Anneloes Opperhuizen – Photography by Hans van Kooten It has been 6 years since Dutch chronobiologists in the Netherlands had gathered for a scientific meeting. The OnTime consortium ran at that time during which annual meetings were extended towards national meetings. After the end of OnTime, national gatherings did not take place, until now. […]
Last week, the journal of Intensive Care Medicine published a letter to the editor from Anneloes Opperhuizen and colleagues on the potential of blue light emitting glasses to improve alertness in nurses.
The next full moon will be on August 31. A long while ago, full moon was the brightest amount of light possible at night. Now that has changed. Joke Meijer and Anneloes Opperhuizen wrote an article about this for Night of the Night. You can read the article here (in Dutch). On October 28, several […]
In September, two events are scheduled during which BioClock participates. On September 16th, during the Night of the Discoveries in Leiden, you can discover how your biological clock is set. Merlijne and Laura, involved in the BioClock Consortium LUMC, would be delighted to include your data in the research! Visit Merlijne and Laura and discover […]
To be able to tell as many people as possible about the biological clock, we are developing a public activity and we need help from you. Could you please fill out this short (5 minute) questionnaire? With your answers we can improve and develop the activity further. Thank you very much! https://leidenuniv.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bNHeXMW02rqtFQO
Light is the main Zeitgeber for the circadian clock, of many organisms. The endless exposure to light, including during the nighttime, is disruptive for the function of circadian clocks everywhere in nature. This research is one of the pillars of the BioClock Consortium. Now, in June ’23, the high impact and world-renowned journal of Science […]
On May 9th, 2023, the Dutch Society for Sleep-Wake Research organizes a symposium titled ‘Chronobiology meets sleep: from animal to human research’. The symposium will take place Tuesday the 9th of May from 13:00- 18:00 PM. During the meeting the BioClock founders (Joke Meijer, Laura Kervezee) and other chronobiology researchers will provide a translational perspective […]
Anneloes Opperhuizen Monday morning, the last weekend of Match, is the start of the first week after Daylight Saving Time has taken place again. At the same time it is the moment we often literally feel that the social clock has shifted an hour. It causes sleep loss of one hour, a sudden change in […]
PhD candidate Hannah Broeckx provides us with an update of her first year. Insect-predator interactions in the spotlight By Hannah Broeckx I am one year into my research on the effect of artificial light at night (ALAN) on insect-predator interactions. What an interesting process it has been so far! ALAN has been shown to impact […]
PhD candidate Evelien Castrop has started a year ago on her project in which she studies plants; the base of all ecosystems. Are they affected by nocturnal artificial light? She wrote us an update: “The Luminescent Landscape: Understanding the Impact of Artificial Light on Plants” by Evelien Castrop Is ALAN changing the way our wild […]
PhD candidate Sander Buddendorf has worked for the past year on his project to understand the bats in urban environments. Are they affected by nocturnal light exposure? That is what he tries to find out in his project. An update on his first year. Understanding the urban bat By Sander Buddendorf The bat is a […]
In the fall of 2022, PhD candidates Koen Vink and Tamara Brouwers started with their BioClock project at the RIVM. Supervised by prof. Debbie van Baarle and prof. Jacco Wallinga, they investigate the interaction between the circadian clock and the immune system. More specifically, they look at the timing and dosing of vaccinations on the […]
On Thursday February 2nd, StrandLAB Almere organizes mini lectures on the importance of darkness. BioClock coordinator, Joke Meijer, will hold a lecture and tickets can be bought through www.strandlab-almere.nl. StrandLAB Almere is a cultural outdoor laboratorium on the beach of Almere. It is a place for talent and experiments. In collaboration with citizens, artists, scientists […]
Struggling to get up? You are not to blame! Prof. dr. Roelof Hut (University of Groningen) explains why this is true in the video podcast of the University of the Netherlands. This platform allows scientists to explain difficult concepts within a short time. He explains what the biological clock is, how it direct all clocks […]
PhD candidate Danielle Crowley started a year ago on her project in WP3.1. It is time for an update on her findings and plans. Keeping rhythm by Danielle Crowley Fish, like humans, follow light/dark (L/D) cycles of around 24 hours. These cycles or circadian rhythms as they are otherwise known, are responsible for initiating and maintaining […]
In May 2022, Francesca Borghese started her PhD project at the University of Groningen. She will study how light affects humans, in several ways. She will be supervised by prof. Roelof Hut. Who are you? Hi, my name is Francesca! I was born in Italy and grew up in different countries in Asia and Africa, […]
PhD candidate Laura Pape has started over a year ago on her project in WP1.4. It is time for an update on her findings and plans. E-health for university students by Laura Pape My project in work package 1.4 is about the effectiveness of a guided e-health intervention on improving sleep and mental in university students. […]
We are happy to announce that our BioClock researchers from different clusters are awarded with several prizes. Congratulations to all! PhD candidate Gali Albalak has won the Piet Visser poster award at the NSWO – Dutch Society for Sleep-Wake Research. Kamiel Spoelstra has won the Stairway to Impact Award from NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk […]
BioClock PhD candidate Gali Albalak and her team at the Leiden University Medical Centre have published a new study which shows that the time of preferred exercise is associated with the risk for cardiovascular health problems, as well as the risk for stroke. People who prefer to exercise in the morning showed a 16% reduced […]
On Monday, November 7th, close to 70 members of the BioClock consortium gathered at (Scheltema) Leiden for a fun and informative day; the cluster meeting. Nearly all PhD and Post doc candidates in short presented the current status of their project and discussed protocols, pilot results and future plans. In 18 short presentations, we met […]
At the end of October it is here again, we will shift the clock an hour backwards. Will it be the last time we adjust our watch? BioClock hopes so because shifting the clock is not good for our health. Especially changing towards summertime, or daylight savings time because wintertime (or standard time) is better […]
Dear Colleagues, This Special Issue discusses the effects of healthy lifestyles, focusing on diet, sleep, and exercise, on Chronic Diseases. Health is a topic which is both long investigated, but also constantly developing. Among all the factors affecting health, lifestyle is the most controllable and influential factor. A proper diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep […]
PhD candidate Maaike van der Rhee has recently started her project at the Erasmus MC, supervised by dr. Heidi Lammers-van der Holst, dr. Linda van Kerkhof and prof. dr. Bert van der Horst. With millions of shiftworkers worldwide, the need for solutions and advise how to deal with shiftwork conditions is urgent. Shiftworkers risk different […]
by Martina Vijver Last Sunday Sept 25th night there was the beautiful event entitled Seeing the Stars for which many streetlights, garden lights and all other types of lights were switched off from 22.00-23.30. This was to create citizens awareness for light pollution. A quote by Daan Roosegaarde – initiator together with many Leiden scientists: […]
PhD candidate Ayano Shiba has started one year ago in WP1.2. An update of her work at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN). Know your clock! by Ayano Shiba Have you ever thought about staying fit with a minimum of effort? If yes, we assure you that you will benefit from the results of our […]
hD candidate Gali Albalak has started over a year ago on her project in WP1.2. It is time for an update on her findings and plans. It’s about time! By Gali Albalak In the first cluster of this consortium (‘Clocks in Society´) there is a work package that aims to uncover the timing of behavioural […]
Adjusting outdoor lighting usually aims to reduce energy, and is done by using LED lights. But that increases the amount of blue light in the environment leading to light pollution with many consequences for nature. National news channel RTL broadcasted an interview with BioClock researcher Kamiel Spoelstra and BioClock advisor Ellen de Vries about this. […]
Gabriel Charvalakis has recently started his PhD research at the Netherlands Institute for Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in Wageningen and the University of Groningen. Under supervision of dr. ir. Kamiel Spoelstra and dr. Roelof Hut, he investigates all aspects of light that may have an influence on insects. The number of insects is decreasing rapidly, and one […]
Inge Snijders has recently started her PhD research at the University of Leiden. Under supervision of prof. Dr. Laura Heitman and Dr. Daan van der Es, she will look for new targets and modulators of the biological clock. Since the circadian system is involved with many diseases but also becomes more dysfunctional with age for […]
We are proud to present the BioClock Academy! On the 21st of September, 2022, we will kickoff with a monthly online seminar aiming for an introduction to basic concepts and understanding of biological rhythms. For anyone who is relatively new to the field of chronobiology, certain concepts may be challenging to grasp. With our Academy, […]
Jip Koene, research intern, worked with Hannah Broeckx in the beginning of her project on the effects of light pollution on nocturnal butterflies – better known as moths. These moths are an important chain of a food web as they serve as prey for birds and bats, but also contribute largely to pollination of all […]
Nihal Fawzi is recent als PhD kandidaat onderzoeker begonnen aan de Hogeschool van Amsterdam aan haar project: BioClock & Educatie. Onder begeleiding van dr. Marco Kragten en dr. Bert Bredeweg gaat zij onderzoeken hoe het onderwerp van de biologische klok in het middelbare onderwijsprogramma in Nederland een plek kan krijgen. Ontzettend belangrijk want hoe meer […]
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences has awarded one of four Heineken Young Scientist Awards 2022 to BioClock co-leader Laura Kervezee. She is the winner in the Medical/Biomedical sciences section and receives 10.000 euros. Laura has been awarded the prize for her research after the effects of disturbance of biological rhythms on health. […]
The Dutch national newspaper Trouw published a large article on the goals of the BioClock consortium. You can read it here (in Dutch).
BioClock collaborates in different projects with the Donkerte van de Wadden; this is a program in the Wadden sea area and they pursue more awareness of the importance of darkness and they invite people to experience the unique darkness of the Wadden. Within the Netherlands, this area is roughly the only place it is still […]
In the past years, much has been written and said about blue light. It was suggested that mainly blue light causes problems for the biological clock and sleep. BioClock researchers, led by Joke Meijer, now have shown that not just blue light can affect our biological clock! They performed an MRI study, and showed that […]
In February, Kornelija Vitkute started her PhD project at the University of Groningen. Under supervision of dr. Peter Meerlo, dr. Robbert Havekes and dr. Roelof Hut, she investigates the effects of static artificial light on behavior, physiology and brain mechanisms. With this knowledge, from both nocturnal and diurnal species, lights can be designed that are […]
Ivanka Spruijt has started her PhD project at the Leiden University and University of Amsterdam. She investigates the effects of artificial light at night on insects, and more specifically she looks at the plant-insect interaction. If the rhythms within this interaction are disturbed, this may lead to problematic consequences for survival of species. Who are […]
In January, Oana-Georgiana started her post doc research project at the Leiden University. In collaboration with BioClock PhD candidate Emma Visser, and under supervision of dr. Niki Antypa, she will further optimize light therapy as a treatment for depressed patients. Light and chronotherapy are effective therapeutic strategies and therefore widely used but the underlying mechanisms […]
In the summer of 2021, Jorine has started her BioClock post doc research at the Erasmus MC. This project is a collaboration with BioClock PhD Demy van Gilst and under supervision of dr. Ines Chaves and dr. Marijn Vermeulen and professors Bert van der Horst and Irwin Reiss. The main goal of the project is […]
Kamiel Spoelstra, BioClock researchers, explains in a large interview how artificial light affects the environment. Especially bats, his expertise, are largely affected by streetlights and building lighting. He explains that certain species may flourish in extra lighting but many species are disturbed by it. Together this reduces the diversity of bat species and biodiversity in […]
A team of honours students of the University of Amsterdam created a magazine on the disturbance of the circadian rhythm in Western society. They approached this ‘wicked challenge in health’ from different perspectives, including biological, psychological and sociological. BioClock researchers Oana-Georgiana Rus-Oswald (LU), Emma Visser (TU/e) and Tom de Boer (LUMC) were among the interviewees. […]
Are you a university student who suffers from sleep problems? Do you struggle to fall asleep or sleep through the night? Say no more… In the last couple of months, we have been collaborating with experts in the field of sleep research and clinical psychology at Leiden University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) to develop the i-Sleep & […]
Last Thursday, April 21st, we celebrated the official start of BioClock with our kickoff event! After delaying the original meeting, we welcomed over 80 participants of the consortium on a great spring day. ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo was the host of our event which allowed us to use great venues. In the dome of the […]
PhD candidate Hannah Broeckx recently started her PhD research at the University of Amsterdam. Under supervision of prof. Astrid Groot and dr. Emily Burdfield-Steel, she will investigate the effects of light at night in urban areas on the behavior and physiology of nocturnal insects such as moths. Since these animals are an important element in […]
A new publication in PNAS by BioClock researchers shows how the SCN responds to different colors of light. In the remarkable study, led by BioClock coordinator Joke Meijer (Leiden University Medical Center, LUMC), it was discovered that not only blue light triggers activity of the biological clock. This is a groundbreaking discovery because until now […]
In the night from March 26 to 27, daylight savings time has taken place again. Many people agree that this change of time two times per year is not ideal. But a dreading discussion is ongoing on how to decide this issue. Even on European level this issue is discussed each year. Scientists are clear […]
Today is the International Day for Sleep; a day to focus on the importance of sleep. Sleep is crucial for health, both mentally and physically and when it is disturbed, it may largely affect many functions. In particular shift workers experience severe disturbed sleep with many consequences. What can they do about their problems? Within […]
Ward Vleeshouwers started last January with his BioClock project. As a PhD candidate he will investigate the interaction between the circadian clock and the immune system, with a specific focus on tumors. His project is supervised by dr. Ramon Arens and dr. Laura Kervezee. Ward works at the LUMC on the Immunology department. Tell us […]
In January, PhD candidate Demy van Gilst started her project in the Erasmus Medical Center of Rotterdam. In her project, she investigates the possibilities to induce a better day-night rhythm in neonates. The question she aims to answer whether that will lead to a faster growth and better long-term health. Under supervision of dr. Marijn […]
On January 1st, 2022, Danielle Crowley started working as a PhD candidate at the Institute of Biology Leiden. She studies fish and focusses on the effects of light at night. During her project she will be supervised by dr. Christian Tudorache and prof. Joke Meijer. Tell us a little about yourself, who are you? My […]
This year, the city of Leiden is the European Capital of Science. Each day of the year 2022 focusses on a theme on which research is done in Leiden. On March 25, it is the Day of the Biological Clock. This is the day before Daylight Savings Time takes place which is no coincidence because […]
The biological clock of people is not set to be active at night, and yet thousands of people do this every night. In health care, logistics, security, etc. For some people this is not an issue, for other it is a big problem. These shift workers have an increased risk to develop health problems, which […]
Emma Visser works at the Eindhoven University of Technology to study light therapy. This is a commonly used form of therapy for depressed patients, but how it exactly works or can be best applied is still under investigation. During her PhD project, Emma will study those questions under the supervision of dr. Luc Schlangen and […]
On January 1st 2022, PhD candidate Gali Albalak started her research project at the Leiden University Medical Centre and Leyden academy. She will investigate whether the time of exercise, morning or evening, matters in maintaining a healthy circadian clock and whether this helps in growing old healthy and happily. She will carry out this research […]
The announcement of loosening the covid rules on January 25 (in the Netherlands) will make live a little easier for many people. But the night scene will stay locked for a while longer because from 10 PM all bars remain closed. Editie NL (dutch national news channel) asked BioClock coordinator and professor LUMC Joke Meijer […]
Adolescents are strongly affected by the COVID rules, particularly because they are more focused on night activities than others in the population. Their biological clock makes them more night owls and during their part of life, social aspects are crucial. Therefore, Het Parool (national newspaper) wrote an article about this and included the opinion of […]
The Dutch national newspaper Trouw wrote an article about nocturnal light. Why are the lights on everywhere? It is not necessary and harmful. BioClock researcher Kamiel Spoelstra further explains how this light affects nature. You can read the article here (in Dutch).
At the Netherlands Insititute of Ecology in Wageningen will PhD candidate Sander Buddendorf investigate the effects of artificial light at night on bat-prey interactions. Since light at night is increasing, and bat populations are decreasing, it is time to investigate this relationship and think of possible solutions. Under the supervision of dr. ir. Kamiel Spoelstra […]
Light pollution is high in The Netherlands. Many areas are very lit, and this is affecting nature, including human health. How severe this is and what to do about it, is what BioClock focuses on. RTL, a Dutch news channel, made an item about light pollution and held an interview with professor Joke Meijer and […]
Bionieuws (the magazing for biologists) reported on an interesting study for shift workers that regularly work at night: it matters when you eat. Researcher Matthew Brown and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester investigated the effects of eating at night. This severely disturbed their rhythms but if they continued to eat during the day, […]
PhD candidate Laura Pape has recently started her BioClock project at the Leiden University (LU). She works on the design of an e-health intervention focusing on strengthening the biological clock and improving health. It ultimately aims to improve mental health of university students which is often poor. She is supervised by dr. Niki Antypa, professor […]
Ayano Shiba is one of the first PhD BioClock candidates. She works at the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, under the supervision of Professor Andries Kalsbeek. She introduces herself and her project. Who are you? I am Ayano Shiba, a new PhD student in the laboratory of Professor Andries Kalsbeek at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. […]
In the night of November 22nd to 23rd, NPO Radio 1 made a long program about BioClock. Lighttherapy in depression, day and night rhythms on the IC, the importance of light and darkness for biodiversity, and a night hike through the animal facilities of Artis Royal ZOO. The science-radio program Focus spoke with different BioClock […]
Laura Kervezee (coordinator of BioClock) has, together with Marijke Gordijn (Chrono@Work) and Eus van Someren (Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience) translated a comic book named Enlighten your clock made by Coline Weinzaepflen en Manuel Spitchan. The book is freely accessible.
On October 30th, the yearly event Night of the Night was organised. This event raises awareness for the importance of darkness. That darkness is essential for many animals, people often know. But that darkness is important for people, is less well known. The effects of light at night – light pollution – are one of […]
BioClock coordinator Joke Meijer, explained in RTL News, national tv news channel, that closing bars and restaurants early is a good idea for you biological clock. Due to the COVID rules, bars and restaurants need to close their doors at midnight. Therefore, many bars start their festivites earlier during the day. Joke Meijer explained that […]
We are happy to announce that the recruitment of BioClock PhD students and postdocs has officially started. With the biological clock as common denominator, we will be looking for a wide variety of backgrounds: from ecology and biology to psychology and immunology. You can check out the available positions here [link to vacancy page]. Some […]
Dutch researchers are joining forces to conduct research together with a series of societal partners to keep the biological clock healthy in our modern 24-hour society. The BioClock consortium will receive a research grant of no less than 9.7 million euros for this. It is one of the projects that receive funding within the program […]
The BioClock Consortium is funded by the NWA-ORC programme of the Dutch Research Council (NWO; project number 1292.19.077).
