University of Auckland Chronobiology Research Gains Momentum
The University of Auckland has strengthened its position in chronobiology through a recent visit by a leading international expert, facilitated by the prestigious Hood Fellowship. This initiative underscores the institution's commitment to advancing understanding of biological rhythms and their impact on health, particularly in youth mental health and immune function across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region.
Understanding Chronobiology and Its Relevance
Chronobiology examines the internal biological clocks that regulate daily, monthly, and seasonal cycles in living organisms. These clocks influence sleep-wake patterns, hormone release, metabolism, and immune responses. Disruptions to these rhythms, often called sleep and circadian rhythm disruption or SCRD, have been linked to mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, as well as increased susceptibility to infections. At the University of Auckland, researchers explore how light and other environmental cues synchronise these clocks, with applications for improving wellbeing in diverse populations.
The Hood Fellowship: Bridging International Expertise
The Hood Fellowship, administered by the University of Auckland Foundation, supports visits by distinguished overseas scholars or enables local academics to travel abroad. Each fellowship provides up to $25,000 to cover travel, accommodation, and related expenses. Professor Russell Foster, a renowned circadian neuroscientist from the University of Oxford, served as the Hood Fellow during a month-long visit. His expertise in sleep science and biological timing directly enhanced ongoing projects at the university.
Key Collaborations and the Pacific Focus
Dr Nicola Ludin, a chronobiology scientist in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, secured the fellowship. The primary focus involved a Pacific-centred project examining SCRD in youth mental health. This work partners with Li’amanaia Dr Roannie Ng Shiu of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, the Centre for Pacific and Global Health. Researchers aim to develop sleep-based interventions for preventing and treating depression and anxiety. A trip to Sāmoa allowed meetings with government and academic leaders, including a public lecture at the National University of Sāmoa. Discussions highlighted how better sleep could support educational outcomes like numeracy and literacy among young people.
Photo by Subash Mugilan on Unsplash
Recent Scientific Breakthroughs in Immunity
University of Auckland scientists have uncovered how daylight enhances immune responses. A study published in Science Immunology demonstrated that neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cells, possess their own circadian clock influenced by light. Using zebrafish models, researchers showed that this clock boosts bactericidal activity during daytime hours, an evolutionary adaptation to higher infection risk when hosts are active. The work, led by Associate Professor Christopher Hall in collaboration with the chronobiology group, was funded by the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Marsden Fund. Current efforts explore precise mechanisms by which light affects the neutrophil clock, opening pathways for drugs targeting these rhythms in inflammatory conditions.
The Chronobiology Research Group at Work
Led by Associate Professor Guy Warman in the Department of Anaesthesiology, alongside Dr James Cheeseman and others including Dr Nicola Ludin and Dr David Cumin, the group unites scientists from multiple disciplines and institutions. Projects span human health, animal models, and even honeybee behaviour. A day-long symposium at Old Government House showcased this breadth, with Professor Foster praising the quality and collaborative nature of the research. The group continues to seek funding for expanded youth mental health surveys in Sāmoa and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Public Engagement and Educational Outreach
Professor Foster delivered lectures to clinicians, students, and the public at the Grafton Campus. A schools outreach day engaged younger audiences, while a celebration lunch attended by Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey marked the visit’s conclusion. These activities extend the impact of chronobiology research beyond academia, fostering greater awareness of sleep’s role in health and performance.
Practical Insights for Teen Sleep Health
Researchers emphasise modifiable behaviours for better sleep. Maintaining consistent wake times daily, including weekends, minimises social jet lag. Morning exposure to natural light strongly resets the circadian system. Limiting late naps, creating wind-down routines, and reserving bedrooms primarily for sleep help the brain associate the space with rest. Gradual bedtime adjustments, avoiding screens before bed, and whole-family approaches yield meaningful improvements in mood, learning, and overall wellbeing.
Photo by Subash Mugilan on Unsplash
Broader Implications for Higher Education and Research
These advances position the University of Auckland as a hub for chronobiology in the Pacific. The integration of international expertise through fellowships like the Hood programme enriches training opportunities for students and early-career researchers. Findings on sleep, immunity, and mental health have direct relevance for curriculum development in health sciences and potential collaborations with other New Zealand institutions focused on Pacific health equity.
Future Directions and Ongoing Impact
With a documentary featuring the research group slated for August broadcast on TVNZ, public interest in circadian science is expected to grow. Continued work on neutrophil clocks and Pacific youth mental health surveys promises further publications and interventions. The university’s chronobiology efforts exemplify how targeted fellowships can accelerate discovery while addressing regional health priorities.
