Human Sleep Genetics and Circadian Rhythm Research - December 6, 2023

Explore groundbreaking research on human sleep genetics in this Presidential Lecture that delves into the critical relationship between sleep and health, emphasizing how chronic sleep disruption increases disease risk. Learn about the pioneering 2012 application of modern human genetics to sleep regulation studies, where researchers identified the first families with heritable normal circadian traits. Follow the investigation of familial advanced sleep phase (FASP), a genetic condition causing unusually early sleep and wake patterns, and discover how mutations in multiple genes contribute to this phenotype in 15 percent of affected families. Understand the insights gained from mouse model studies and phosphorylation's role in circadian period regulation. Examine recent discoveries in familial natural short sleep (FNSS) and the identification of genes controlling sleep homeostasis and efficiency. Gain valuable knowledge about emerging opportunities to improve human health by targeting sleep quality as a preventive measure against various diseases.