Roman Kondratov, Ph.D., Cleveland State University professor in the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BGES) and a member of the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD), has been awarded a five-year, $2.36 million R01 competitive grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with fellow co-investigators Peng Jiang, Ph.D., CSU assistant professor in BGES and GRHD member, and Yana Sandlers, Ph.D., CSU associate professor in Chemistry.

The project is titled "Circadian Clock and Dietary Restriction."

Dr. Kondratov's research focuses on the effects of circadian rhythms on diet in aging. Some diets, such as calorie restriction, improve health and even extend lifespan in many organisms, including primates. Dr. Kondratov's laboratory found that the circadian clocks are part of calorie restriction mechanisms, and a functional circadian clock is necessary for the full benefits of calorie restriction on metabolism and longevity.

The new funding will be used to study the connection between circadian clocks and the mTOR signaling rhythms in calorie restriction, which may be used to develop strategies for treatment and prevention of age-assoicated diseases.

The NIH is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, with investments over $32 billion annually to enhance life, while reducing illnesses and disabilities. Research funded through the NIH has led to breakthroughs and new treatments, ultimately helping people live longer, healthier lives and building a research foundation that drives discovery in the process.