Body Clock Demystified

Its 00:02 right now and I came across a good research article which prompted me to write this post.Quite conveniently we can define our time in 24 hours intervals in a day,Right?We are insanely dependent on the clocks around us which dictate our lives from dawn to dusk.Well according to a new research done across the Atlantic by the brainiacs at MIT, there too is a clock inside all of us (certainly not the one we see on our walls) which governs different functions of our body.

Image: Jupitar

Circadian clock is controlled by a gene called SIRT 1, previously shown to protect against diseases of ageing. In experiments conducted on mice,a decrease in protein SIRT 1 is observed with ageing which opens up new possibilities for research and further understanding of this subject.According to Leonard Guarente, Novartis professor of Biology at MIT, "If we could keep SIRT 1 as active as possible as we get older, then we'd be able to retard ageing in the central clock in the brain, and health benefits would radiate from that". Knowing the detailed work mechanism of circadian clock will allow scientists to create novel solutions for ageing in contrast to the temporary physical solutions such as ageing regression creams and facial uplift procedures.Imagine of being revitalised to former state of physical well being with just an injection of SIRT 1? 

Forgive me if anyone considers me to be guilty of raising the hope of my audience unreasonably with such an optimistic possibility of rejuvenation but efforts are already under way to actualise the essence of this study.Roman Kondratov, an associate professor of biology at Cleveland State University says," The importance of this study is that it has both basic and potentially translational applications, taking in to account the fact that pharmacological modulators of SIRT 1 are currently under active study". 

I hope you enjoyed reading this post.Comment below to predict which gender,Male or Female, will most likely cause a shortage of the anti-ageing injections?(question posed out of sincere curiosity)


Full article is available at:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/the-link-between-circadian-rhythms-and-aging-0620.html

Biomimicry.

Man's inherent desire for progress and knowledge has led him to stumble upon discoveries like black gold(petroleum) and invention of complex machines like supersonic aircraft and space crafts.Saying that these incremental inventions have been made by chance and void of any significant inspiration will be quite illogical and unjust.So the question which arises is what led to the momentous progress materialising itself around our surroundings?A simple answer,justified by observation of few examples to follow,will be Biomimicry: science of observing nature to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems.

With their wings stretched and streamlined bodies ready to fly away in the unending sky,Birds provided the early aviators with valuable flight principles and inspiration to build practical planes.In fact the first inventors of world's successful air plane,the Wright brothers, spent a great deal of time studying the flight of birds.They noticed that birds soared in to the wind and that the air flowing over the curved surface of their wings created lift.Birds change the shape of their wings to turn and manoeuvre.

1903 Flyer tutorial.

A bird in flight.

 Nature not only inspired this phenomenal invention but also is helping             to innovate it constantly.One such example of innovation is NASA and Boeing's work on Morphing wing concept: a wing which could change its shape while flying.(1)The central aim of this project is to reduce drag and   increase fuel efficiency by bending wings to achieve flight control as effortlessly as birds do.

A side by side comparison of concept and its inspiration.

Another area where Biomimicry is being employed extensively is that of Robotics.Researchers at University of Leeds are using the feet of tree frogs as a model for a tiny robot which will assist surgeons during keyhole surgery.According to lead professor Anne Neville, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies at the University of Leeds, "Tree frogs have hexagonal patterned channels on their feet that when in contact with a wet surface build capillary bridges, and hence an adhesive force.It is the same kind of idea as a beer glass sticking to a beer mat, but the patterns build a large number of adhesion points that allow our robot to move around on a very slippery surface when it is upside down"(2)

 Nature is a reliable framework which allows us to reflect back to the      simple living units of this complex world and learn from their activity lessons of great significance.In words of Richard P.  Feynman" Nature uses only long threads to weave her patterns, so each small piece of her fabric reveals the organisation of the entire tapestry".So the next time anyone of you come across a weird-shaped mosquito,give it a thorough look and think of its potential applications(that is if you have abundant free time like I have these days).

Feel free to add your feedback.Hope you enjoyed reading this article.

       



References:
1. NASA.NASA's twist-wing jet Explores a radical future.Published 06.14.03.Available at: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/twist_wing.html

2.University of Leeds."Frog-like robots will help surgeons".Published on 11/04/2013.Available at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/3388/frog-like_robot_will_help_surgeons