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, was a clear difference in the fish’s biological clock.
The research
Christian’s research showed that confident fish have a much stronger biological clock than shy fish. The latter group barely managed to maintain their rhythm during a test under constant light. This work has great potential, Christian tells De Volkskrant. A weak or disrupted biological clock has major consequences for both fish and humans. Think of sleep deprivation, psychiatric disorders and obesity. By studying these animals, we can gain new insights into the biological clock.
Orange peel
With a recently awarded NWO grant, Christian is currently investigating a way to give the biological clock a boost. In collaboration with fellow BioClock researcher Laura Heitman of the LACDR, he is investigating the potential of CEM3, a substance commonly found in orange peel. It has already been shown to strengthen the clock in cell cultures. Now the team wants to figure out if it does the same in living organisms. Who knows, perhaps this substance might give Christian’s shy little fish a bit more courage.
Read the full article in de Volkskrant.
