E20 - Part 2: Fundamentals of cellular timekeeping with John O'Neill

In this second part, Dr. John O'Neill (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge) provides deep insights from his recent study on how the timing of food intake mechanistically modifies circadian clocks in cells and animals. He explains the research journey of how his group identified systemic time cues associated with food intake. John highlights the indispensable role of the vital protein kinase called mTOR for the cell to process the timing of food intake. Lastly, we discuss how the mechanistic knowledge from John's research might translate to practical eating strategies for shiftwork and jetlag.

More information about the ERATO UK - Japan Joint Symposium: https://sys-pharm.m.u-tokyo.ac.jp/erato-uk/

Chapters:

(0:00:11) Intro

(0:02:23) Food-entrainable oscillator?

(0:06:06) How insulin emerged as a suspect

(0:08:38) Food timing entrains all cell clocks except for the SCN

(0:10:32) What other candidates than insulin were considered?

(0:12:29) How insulin modifies clocks

(0:16:35) Insulin action in vitro vs. in vivo

(0:25:07) Why the SCN remains mostly irresponsive to food timing

(0:31:13) How conflicting time cues impair circadian organization

(0:34:38) What about skipping breakfast?

(0:39:07) The role of meal frequency and snacking

(0:42:39) Combining time cues to support health

(0:45:37) The role of mTor in daily cellular timekeeping

(0:48:33) Translational perspective on shift work

(0:55:15) John’s recommendations to reduce jetlag

(0:58:05) John’s perspective on the ERATO symposium

(1:01:20) John’s future research

(1:05:20) John’s career ambitions

(1:08:01) Funny anecdote

(1:12:09) Outro