Circadian Rhythms Regulate Skin Stem Cell Metabolism and Expansion, UCI Study Finds

January 8, 2015

(Eurekalert) – UC Irvine scientists studying the role of circadian rhythms in skin stem cells found that this clock plays a key role in coordinating daily metabolic cycles and cell division. Their research, which appears Jan. 6 in Cell Reports, shows for the first time how the body’s intrinsic day-night cycles protect and nurture stem cell differentiation. Furthermore, this work offers novel insights into a mechanism whereby an out of synch circadian clock can contribute to accelerated skin aging and cancers.