We EXPLORE how ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL VARIABLES modulate the biological clock in native fishes, using different methodological approaches. We study human CIRCADIAN PREFERENCES AND SLEEP HABITS in youngsters to understand how the clock copes with different social demands and environmental challenges.
WE SEEK to understand CONTROL MECHANISMS by which living beings respond TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES during their daily and seasonal routines. We also proactively seek to contribute to evidence-based social policies of light hygiene, school and work shifts, among others.
Several daily life situations provide excellent scenarios to understand how the biological clock is influenced by changes in environmental factors and social demands. We study circadian preferences and sleep habits of the Uruguayan population. We are especially interested in understanding how environmental and social cues interact in the modulation of the human biological clock.
Los peces ofrecen grandes ventajas para explorar las bases moleculares, neurales y fisiológicas de los ritmos biológicos, tanto por su ubicación troncal en la evolución de los vertebrados como por su enorme diversidad biológica, que incluye variadas estrategias reproductivas y sistemas sociales. Nos interesa revelar mecanismos naturales de regulación del sistema nervioso sobre las conductas, en animales sujetos a las presiones y desafíos de su hábitat natural. Para esto realizamos experimentos y muestreos en campo sumado a abordajes experimentales de laboratorio como técnicas moleculares, electrofisiológicas, farmacológicas, histológicas y conductuales.
