• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

One of the world's leading research institutes, our scientists are working to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level - providing the knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.

  • Home
  • About LMB
  • Research
  • Research Groups
  • Students
  • Recruitment
  • Life at the LMB
  • Achievements
  • News & Events
Home > Tidal clock genes and neurons
nb

Michael Hastings

Tidal clock genes and neurons

Group Leader Page

Circadian (24 hour) body clocks are conserved amongst terrestrial organisms, adapting them to the daily solar cycle. A greater diversity and abundance of life, however, inhabits environments varying over tidal/lunar time. Work by our group and others has established a molecular/genetic paradigm for circadian timing, conserved across diverse taxa, involving delayed negative feedback by circadian proteins on expression of the circadian “clock genes” encoding them. In contrast, absolutely nothing is known of the molecular neurobiology of tidal clocks and the behavioural rhythms they drive. This rich neurobiological problem is virgin territory.

We shall investigate tidal timing in the isopod crustacean Eurydice pulchra. An inhabitant of UK beaches, it emerges from the sand to feed on flood tides and re-burrows before the ebb tide carries it off-shore. In the laboratory under constant environmental conditions, it exhibits beautiful circa-tidal activity cycles, with a period ranging between 11.5 and 13.5 hours. Activity is coincident with the predicted high water on the home beach and can be shifted by vibration (mimicking wave action). The underlying molecular neurobiology of this exquisitely precise behaviour is unknown.

This project will utilise RNA sequencing and genomic analyses, homology cloning, behavioural analyses, protein expression and neurobiological analyses of the Eurydice nervous system to characterise the molecular neurogenetics behind this elusive clock. The Applicant will be well supported by resources and expertise of LMB and also by ongoing collaborations with a marine biology group and a Drosophila neurogeneticist.

Candidates should have competence and interest in molecular genetics and neurobiology, including PCR, DNA cloning, genomic sequence analysis, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation.

We shall identify tidal genes and then examine their functions in cell culture and in vivo. Is the tidal clock a shorter cycle equivalent of the circadian feedback loop or is it something more exotic?


References

Zhang L, Hastings MH, Green EW, Tauber E, Sladek M, Webster SG, Kyriacou CP, Wilcockson DC. (2013).
Dissociation of Circadian and Circatidal Timekeeping in the Marine Crustacean Eurydice pulchra.
Current Biology 23(19):1863-73.  PMID: 24076244.

O’Neill JS, Lee KD, Zhang L, Feeney K, Webster SG, Blades MJ, Kyriacou CP, Hastings MH, Wilcockson DC. (2015)
Metabolic molecular markers of the tidal clock in the marine crustacean Eurydice pulchra.
Current Biology 25:(8):R326-7. PMID: 25898100

Hastings MH, Maywood ES, Brancaccio M. (2018).
Generation of circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Nature Reviews Neuroscience 19(8):453-469. doi: 10.1038/s41583-018-0026-z.  PMID:  29934559.

Primary Sidebar

  • Home
  • About LMB
    • Useful Contacts
    • Building and Facilities
    • LMBees Blog
    • Fast Facts
    • History of the LMB
    • LMB Archive
      • Books
      • Manuscripts & Correspondence
      • Photographs
        • Browse the photo archive
      • Recordings
      • Newspaper Articles Archive
      • Scientific Models
      • Published Research
    • LMB Alumni
      • LMB Alumni List
      • LMB Alumni News
      • Newsletters
      • Share Your Memories
        • Gerry Rubin: Looking Back
        • Behind the Scenes with… Steve Scotcher
      • Photographs from the Archive
      • Keeping in touch
    • Max Perutz Fund
    • How to Find Us
    • Contact Directory
  • Research
    • Goals and Research Focus
    • Cell Biology
    • Neurobiology
      • Initiative with the Department of Clinical Neurosciences
    • Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
      • Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology
    • Structural Studies
    • Technology Transfer
      • History Of Technology Transfer
      • Examples of Recent Technology Transfer Initiatives
    • Scientific Facilities & Support Services
    • Locally Developed Software
    • Scientific Training
      • Electron Microscopy
      • Biophysics Lectures
      • Macromolecular Crystallisation
      • Crystallography Course 2013
      • Statistics Course 2014
      • RNA-seq course 2020
    • Published Research
    • Molecular Immunity Unit
    • Animal Research
      • Why is animal research needed?
      • Alternatives to using Animals in Research
      • Welfare and ethics
      • LMB Research Involving Animals
      • Biological Services Group
      • Concordat on Openness in Animal Research
      • Useful Links
  • Research Groups
    • A to G
    • H to M
    • N to S
    • T to Z
    • Emeritus
    • LMB Fellows
    • Molecular Immunity Unit
  • Students
    • International PhD Programme
      • Programme Overview
      • Projects
      • Student Testimonials
      • Entrance Requirements
      • Overview of admissions
      • Funding
      • How To Apply
      • Key Dates for Applicants
      • FAQs
      • Useful Links
      • How did you hear about us?
      • Contact Us
    • Graduate Student Association
    • Student Placement Scheme
    • Work Experience
  • Recruitment
    • Current Vacancies
    • Postdoctoral Opportunities
    • Students
  • Life at the LMB
    • Working Here
    • LMBees Blog
    • Living Socially
    • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
    • Group Leader Profiles
  • Achievements
    • LMB Nobel Prizes
    • Royal Society Awards
    • EMBO Awards
    • Academy of Medical Sciences
    • Perutz Student Prize
    • Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize
    • Technology Transfer
  • News & Events
    • Insight on Research
    • LMB News
    • LMB In The News
    • LMB Alumni News
    • LMB 365
    • Newspaper Archive
    • Scientific Glossary
    • Scientific Seminars
    • Scientific Training
    • Public Engagement
      • Supporting Education
      • LMB on the Road
      • Events at the LMB
      • Resources
      • LMB Science Stories
      • Contact Us
    • Information for Journalists
    • Photographs

Search

  • Privacy & Cookies
  • Contact Directory
  • Freedom of Information
  • Site Map
Find Us
©2025 MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology,
Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK. 01223 267000

The MRC is part of UK Research and Innovation

Contact Us

This site uses cookies. The LMB may use cookies to analyse how you use our website. We use external analysis systems which may set additional cookies to perform their analysis. These cookies (and any others in use) are detailed in our Privacy and Cookies Policy and are integral to our website. You can delete or disable these cookies in your web browser if you wish, but then our site may not work as it is designed. Ok