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A world expert on circadian biology in mammals, Professor Menno Gerkema, will give a free public lecture at The University of Western Australia on Tuesday (21 April) on the risks and benefits of altering circadian rhythms in animals, including humans.

Circadian rhythms are thought to be essential for the survival of mammals. Sensory input mechanisms such as light detection, hearing and smell on the one hand; and reproduction, food selection and anti-predator mechanisms on the other, are integrated and tuned to time of day and seasons by biological clocks. These govern and coordinate behaviour and physiology of a species.

Professor Gerkema, who has studied clock-generated behaviour in animals, will discuss research that questions whether, in some circumstances, we may be better off without these rhythms.

Professor Gerkema is a Professor of Behavioural Chronobiology at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. His visit to Perth involves fieldwork on timing in the nocturnal marsupial, the fat-tailed dunnart. He is supported by the UWA Distinguished Visitors Fund and is hosted by Experimental and Regenerative Neuroscience in the UWA School of Animal Biology.

WHAT: Public Lecture - ‘Good Rhythms? On the survival value of circadian rhythms in physiology and behaviour'.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 21, from 6pm to 7pm

WHERE: Webb Lecture Theatre, UWA (Geography Building).

This lecture is free and open to the public.

Media references

Audrey Barton (UWA Institute of Advanced Studies)  (+61 8) 6488 4797
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716