Tag: bioclock

Does our immune system know what time it is?

Written by bioclock on August 3, 2026. Posted in News.

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 T-cells work? T-cells are immune cells that help fight infections. When they first encounter a pathogen, they can develop into...

New insights into chrononutrition: hormonal rhythms discovered in breast milk among preterm babies

Written by bioclock on July 22, 2026. Posted in News.

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 study shows that various hormones in breast milk also exhibit a clear day-night rhythm. The researchers studied breast milk from mothers who...

What Glow-worms Teach Us About Darkness

Written by bioclock on July 2, 2026. Posted in News.

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 partner Marjolijn van Heemstra, participants search for the faintly glowing beetles and discover the beauty hidden in the...

LUMC staff get acquainted with their chronotype

Written by bioclock on June 22, 2026. Posted in events, News.

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 with practical tools to manage it better. A contribution from BioClock could, of course, not be missing. Over the course of two...

BioClock at ‘fabric of society’ conference

Written by bioclock on May 18, 2026. Posted in News.

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 clock, particularly through night-shift work, can have profound effects on sleep, metabolism, and...

BioClock Gardens expanding: Now also in Katwijk!

Written by bioclock on April 30, 2026. Posted in News.

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 moonflower that opens in the evening, and the daisy that loves to bloom in the sunshine. Accompanied by information signs and...