Computational studies on photoperiodism in light and food synchronization of multi-oscillatory circadian systems

• Grant number: 17/16242-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: November 01, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Gisele Akemi Oda
• Grantee: Danilo Eugênio de França Laurindo Flôres
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/04451-3 - Role of the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper transcription factor TSC22D3 in the molecular circadian clock, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Photoperiodism is the temporal adjustment of physiology and behavior to the annual variation of day length, allowing synchronization to the seasons. In this project, we intend to study photoperiodism in two physiological processes involving circadian oscillators, with a theoretical approach based on computer simulations. First, we are going to evaluate the photoperiodic processing in a subterranean rodent, the tuco-tuco (Ctenomys aff. knighti), which plays an important ecological role and presents a particular temporal pattern of light exposure throughout the day and along the seasons. To do so, we are going to simulate a multi-oscillatory system subjected to the daily pattern of light exposure in this species, adding photoperiodic variation, and extending our previous studies on this issue. The results will give support to current projects in our group on the seasonality of tuco-tucos in the lab and in the field. Secondly, we will evaluate results from the literature and the BEPE, according to which photoperiod can modulate the expression of circadian rhythms synchronized by daily feeding signals. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, we will simulate a second multi-oscillatory system, under different photoperiods and daily feeding routines. With these simulations, we expect to predict and propose more adequate protocols for future experimental studies on the synchronization by daily feeding routines. The use of mathematical models assists in the elucidation of mechanisms and in the proposition of experimental protocols, being of special interest in researches of difficult execution, such as in the studies on annual physiology that require long time scales. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FLORES, DANILO E. F. L.; ODA, GISELE A.. Quantitative Study of Dual Circadian Oscillator Models under Different Skeleton Photoperiods. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS, v. 35, n. 3, FEB 2020. (19/04451-3, 17/16242-4, 17/19680-2)

FLORES, DANILO E. F. L.; JANNETTI, MILENE G.; IMPROTA, GIOVANE C.; TACHINARDI, PATRICIA; VALENTINUZZI, VERONICA S.; ODA, GISELE A.. Telling the Seasons Underground: The Circadian Clock and Ambient Temperature Shape Light Exposure and Photoperiodism in a Subterranean Rodent. FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY, v. 12, OCT 1 2021. (17/16242-4, 10/03565-0, 19/26752-5, 16/25968-6, 17/19680-2, 16/25058-0, 17/22973-1)

ROSSELOT, ANDREW E.; PARK, MIRI; KIM, MARI; MATSU-URA, TORU; WU, GANG; FLORES, DANILO E.; SUBRAMANIAN, KRITHIKA R.; LEE, SUENGWON; SUNDARAM, NAMBIRAJAN; BRODA, TAYLOR R.; et al. Ontogeny and function of the circadian clock in intestinal organoids. EMBO Journal, v. 41, n. 2, OCT 2021. (19/04451-3, 17/16242-4)