March 16, 2016
6:00 PM EDT to 8:00 PM EDT
Cambridge Innovation Center
50 Milk Street (entrance on Devonshire Street), 5th Floor, Meridian Room
Boston , MA 02109
Directions
The circadian system is controlled by one of the oldest parts of the human brain, making the Drosophila melanogaster, or fruit fly, an excellent model species because sleep in the fly is remarkably similar to mammalian sleep. How does the human brain switch between states of sleep and waking, what is the purpose of sleep, and what role does light play?
As in people, both circadian and homeostatic mechanisms provide input into the regulation of fly sleep: flies are normally active during the day and quiescent at night, but if deprived of sleep will show a consequent increase in “rebound” sleep, regardless of the time of day.
This talk will discuss the science behind the Drosophila’s circadian functions as it pertains to light, and how this connects to the human being’s circadian functions.
Our speaker is Dragana Rogulja PHD, Assistant Professor in Neurobiology Harvard Medical School.
There will also be a small display of tunable white product to demonstrate this emerging technology in the lighting industry.
Beverages and light fare will be provided.
Tickets
$35.00 Member Ticket
$40.00 Non-member Ticket
$15.00 Student Ticket
$250.00 Tabletop Sponsor