Professor
Phone #31-50-3632053
Fax #31-50-3632148
Email d.g.m.beersma@rug.nl
Research
The focus of my research interest is on the circadian system, both in normal and in pathological conditions. The circadian system is the set of physiological and behavioral variables that vary systematically as a function of time of day. A central component of the circadian system is the circadian pacemaker or biological clock, which in mammals is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus. Apart from experimentation, in particular at the behavioral level of the system, I apply mathematical tools to integrate existing knowledge of processes to help understand mechanism and function of the circadian system. Major questions addressed are:
What is the influence of light on the circadian pacemaker? Can we infer specific features of the construction of the circadian pacemaker from behavioral responses? How does the circadian pacemaker regulate sleep timing? What are the functions of sleep, of nonREM sleep and of REM sleep? How do these sleep states depend on previous activities? How do various aspects of behavior depend on previous sleep? Given that light is the most important stimulus to reset the circadian pacemaker, what is the impact of light on variables downstream of the circadian pacemaker? Given that a separate non-rod non-cone photoreceptor system provides light information to the circadian pacemaker, what is the influence of that photoreceptor system on downstream variables, such as alertness and performance? Are differences between circadian pacemakers causing the differences in behavioral patterns between morning type and evening type individuals? Are abnormalities in the circadian system causally related to depressive disorder?
Personel
1974 Graduation in Biophysics
1979
PhD Thesis, Spatial characteristics of the visual field of flies
1979-2001 Psychiatric University Clinic, Staff Member.
Task: Sleep research in depression
1996-2005 Zoological Laboratory, Department of Behavioral Biology, Staff Member.
Task: Human Chronobiology, Research and Education
2005- Department of Chronobiology, Chair
Professional Service
European Sleep Research Society (ESRS)
Member
Secretary 1996-2001
World Federation of Sleep Research Societies (WFSRS)
Delegate for ESRS 1996-2000
Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms (SLTBR)
Founding member
Dutch Society for Sleep-Wake Research (NSWO)
Member of Scientific Committee since 1990
Board member 1995-1998
Dutch Society for Behavioral Biology (NGV)
Graduate
School
for Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience (BCN)
Member of scientific Committee 1994-1998
Earth and Life Sciences (ALW)
Member of scientific advisory committee 2001-2004
Society for Research of Biological Rhythms (SRBR)
Member
Stichting Onderzoek Licht en Gezondheid (SOLG), Member scientific advisory board
Teaching
For Bachelor students in Biology
·
Orientation on Biology and Society
·
Behavior and Evolution (practical to design a grant proposal)
·
Human Ethology
·
Chronobiology (theory and experimentation)
For Master students in Biology
·
Course on Timing of behaviour (BCN Research master)
·
Research projects (about 6 months)
·
Colloquia
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Scientific essays
For PhD students
·
Coaching of research projects
