Join the Division of Molecular and Cellular Function (MCF) for the Advances in Biosciences Seminar Series, the speaker is Professor Joanna Chiu from UC Davis, USA
Hosted by Dr Joan Chang.
Date: Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Time: 13:00-14:00
Venue: Michael Smith Lecture Theatre
Title: “Metabolic and environmental regulation of circadian biology”.
Abstract: Robust daily biological rhythms are key hallmarks of animal healthspan and are strongly regulated by circadian clocks. These endogenous molecular timers enable animals to adapt to predictable daily changes in their environment. Clock-controlled outputs are all encompassing and clock disruption is associated with a wide range of pathologies and chronic diseases. In the natural world, environmental signals, e.g. light and temperature, enable animal circadian clocks to control timing of food intake. Nutrient influx can further provide metabolic signals to reinforce environmental signals, promoting synchrony in cellular physiology. The perception and integration of environmental and metabolic signals are therefore essential for maintaining robust circadian rhythms to maximize healthspan and promote longevity. In this presentation, I will discuss my lab’s research in understanding the mechanisms by which temperature and metabolic signals are interpreted by the circadian timing system to regulate daily biological rhythms. Using Drosophila as an animal model, we showed that temperature-dependent alternative RNA splicing in clock genes and more broadly in the transcriptome is critical for optimizing daily rhythms over the calendar year. With regard to metabolic signals, we showed that nutrient-sensitive post-translational protein modifications play a significant role in interpreting the timing and quantity of food intake, thus mediating metabolic regulation of circadian biology.
Biography: Joanna Chiu obtained her B.A. in Biology and Music at Mount Holyoke College, MA, USA, and her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at New York University, USA. She started her research program in understanding the molecular basis of animal circadian and seasonal rhythms as a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, USA. She started her laboratory at UC Davis in 2010 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2021. She served as Vice-Chair of the Department of Entomology and Nematology from 2016-2023, and has been Chair of the Department since July 2023.
Her research group uses a combination of molecular genetics, biochemical, and omics approaches to dissect the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control animal circadian and seasonal rhythms. Her laboratory also leverages genomic approaches to study invasive insects with the goal of developing new strategies for controlling agricultural pests, thus contributing to long-term global food security. She has been a leader in using a genomics approach to study the invasion biology and insecticide resistance development of the fruit pest Drosophila suzukii for the past 15 years. Dr. Chiu received the NIH Pathway to Independence Award in 2008, the UC Davis Chancellor’s Fellowship in 2018, and the Entomological Society of America Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology Research Award in 2019. She is currently the President-Elect for the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms. In addition to her research program, Dr. Chiu is dedicated to the training of the next generation of scientists. She was awarded the 2022 UC Davis Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching and Mentoring Award for her contributions to graduate and professional mentoring, the 2023 UC Davis Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research, and the 2024 Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America Distinction in Student Mentoring Award. She currently serves as the Director of the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program at UC Davis to facilitate successful transition of trainees from undergraduate to graduate education.
