Researchers doing basic research behind the circadian clock got the Noble prize in 2017

  Här är en svensk version

 In 2017, the Americans Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young recieved the Nobel Prize for their research about the circadian clock. A research that has led to a lot of practical knowledge about how we can feel better and avoid diseases. Diseases that are already known to be important are sleep disorders, type II diabetes, obesity-associated diseases, bipolar disorder and more.

 

About the Nobel Prize behind our circadian clock. 

Background: The genome is found on chromosomes, which in turn are found inside the cell nucleus of a cell. Genes are also found in the mitochondria but that's not relevant here. 

During the day when the gene called PERIOD is active, messenger RNA  is produced which is transported out of the cell nucleus to the  cytoplasm of the cell,which is the material that is inside the cell between the cell membrane and the nucleus. (Numbers 1 and 2 in the picture).

The messenger-RNA then produces the PER protein which is after that transported into the cell nucleus (Numbers 3 and 4) and there the activity of the gene later is blocked as a result of this charging. This gives rise to feedback with the consequence that the production of the PER protein is stopped, and this happens at night. This is a part of the mechanism behind the circadian clock or rhythm.

Michael W. Young discovered two more proteins called TIMELESS, which help the PER protein enter the cell nucleus. Furthermore, his research team found another gene, Doubletime, which controls when the PER protein is to be destroyed. I read this in a PBS article.

 

 PBS Public Broadcasting Service is an organization independent of state and companies funded by voluntary grants.

The artist who illustrates for Nobel Media is called Niklas Elmehed. He too deserves attention.