Koronowski KB, Sassone-Corsi P. Communicating clocks shape circadian homeostasis. Science. 2021;371(6530):eabd0951. doi:10.1126/science.abd0951
The publisher’s final edited version of this article is available at Science
Abstract
Circadian clocks temporally coordinate physiology and align it with geophysical time, enabling diverse lifeforms to anticipate daily environmental cycles. In complex organisms, clock function originates from the molecular oscillator within each cell and builds upwards anatomically into an organism-wide system. Recent advances have transformed our understanding of how clocks are connected to achieve coherence across tissues. Circadian misalignment, often imposed in modern society, disrupts coordination among clocks and has been linked to diseases from metabolic syndrome to cancer. Thus, uncovering the physiological circuits whereby biological clocks achieve coherence will inform on both challenges and opportunities in human health.