Biological clocks topic of April 12-13 lectures at UVa-Wise

Gene Block, vice president and provost at the University of Virginia, will explore the workings of human biological clocks during presentations at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise April 12-13.

Block, who was recently appointed to a National Academies’ Institute of Medicine committee to study sleep medicine and research, will discuss “Unwinding Biological Clocks” during a presentation on Tuesday, April 12. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. in the UVa-Wise Science Center.

The human body has an internal clock run by biological mechanisms. Block’s presentation will explore the science behind the commonly known concept of “the body clock,” and biological rhythms in mammals, including humans. From primitive algae to man, organisms have acquired the ability to synchronize critical physiological and behavioral processes to important external periodicities through the use of endogenous timers. Foremost among these biological chronometers are circadian clocks, endogenous timekeepers that allow organisms to synchronize physiology and behavior to the 24-hour solar cycle. In several organisms biological clocks have been localized and the underlying timing mechanism investigated. Studies reveal that the fundamental timing signals are generated by feedback loops involving genes and their protein products. These biological clocks play a role in human performance, sleep and waking, and aging.

On Wednesday, April 13, Block will examine the connection between the biological clock and aging. As we get older we sleep less and less well. Is this because our brain's biological clock that controls sleep is aging? The presentation, which is free and open to the public, begins at 1 p.m. in the Science Center.

The chief academic officer at the University of Virginia, Block is charged with overseeing education, research, and public service in all 10 schools of the University, in the University's libraries and museums, and in numerous other academically related units of the University. In addition to his role as vice president and provost, Block is the Alumni Council Thomas Jefferson Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences. He teaches in the Biology Department and maintains an NIH-funded research program focused on the study of biological clocks.

Block’s visit to UVa-Wise is part of the College's University Fellows program. Established in 1998 to forge more direct links between the academic programs at UVa-Wise and U.Va., the University Fellows program offers faculty and students at UVa-Wise an opportunity to interact with some of the University's most outstanding professors.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.