The earth’s daily rotation causes profound, yet repetitive, changes to environmental conditions. In response, species from prokaryotes to humans have evolved circadian clocks to drive anticipatory daily rhythms in biological processes ranging in magnitude from DNA replication to sleep-wake cycles. However, cellular, tissue and systemic circadian rhythms exhibit a generalised decay during the ageing process that may contribute to the development of aged-related diseases and onset of frailty. In the Circadian Rhythms and Ageing laboratory , we aim to determine why this detrimental decay occurs and ask how we can correct or exploit these changes. To do so, we apply cutting edge in vivo, in vitro and in silico tools to provide unique, clinically relevant perspectives on the ageing of the bodies circadian system.
Age is cancers primary risk factor and a significant determinant of how this often-devastating disease presents and progresses. Concurrently, circadian inputs from the body are known to drive daily rhythms in tumour microenvironment composition,



metastasis seeding and treatment response, whilst disruption of physiological circadian rhythms is itself an established tumour promoter. However, whether the ageing of the bodies circadian system reshapes the initiation and development of cancer remains unknown. To address this question, the selected candidates will develop a European Research Council-funded project that asks how ageing of the circadian system impinges upon the biology of cancer. In particular, this project will look to address three key questions:
- Does ageing of the body and its circadian rhythm system change the tumourigenic potency of circadian rhythm disruption?
- Are the circadian rhythms of an established tumour altered by ageing of the host and its circadian system?
- If cancer circadian biology is rewired by ageing, can we identify where this change originates from?

To tackle these questions, the selected candidates will combine cutting-edge

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