Biology

Improper circadian clock function has already been linked to illnesses from diabetes to depression in humans. Plant science could grow our understanding. “As researchers continue to untangle more about how these clocks work—including how they influence interactions between hosts and their invading pathogens and pests—new forms of specially-timed precision medicine could be on the horizon,” write Lu and Wiratan. Continue Reading UMBC biologists discuss human health applications of studying plants’ circadian rhythms in The Conversation

“Many animals—including human beings—do have specialized light-detecting molecules in unexpected places,” Tom Cronin writes. While notable progress has been made in understanding these molecules in recent decades, there is still much to learn about their roles in processes from navigation to mood regulation. Continue Reading UMBC’s Tom Cronin explains how some animals “see without eyes”

“Any cell, in any species, is constantly bombarded with different signals from its environment,” says Erin Green. Her work could provide clues to understanding how those signals may trigger complex processes from aging to the spread of cancer. Continue Reading UMBC’s Erin Green receives nearly $1 million NIH grant for cutting-edge epigenetics research