Erik Herzog

Title:	Associate Professor of Biology
Degree:	PHD, Syracuse University BA, Duke University
Dept:	Biology
Office:	Monsanto Lab Bldg 204
Mailbox:	Campus Box 1137 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899 Hide Full Mailing Address
Phone:	(314) 935-8635
E-mail:	herzog@wustl.edu

Courses
Biological Clocks; Laboratory of Neurophysiology

Research Interests
Biological clocks that drive near 24-hour rhythms in behavior and physiology have been found in a wide variety of organisms and cell types. The Herzog Lab studies the cellular and molecular basis of these circadian rhythms in mammals using techniques that include planar electrode arrays, cellular imaging and genetic manipulations (i.e. mutants, knockouts, and transgenics). This approach is producing insight into the roles of specific molecules, cells, and tissues in the rich repertoire of daily behaviors. In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalmus is the master circadian pacemaker. This brain region continues to keep daily time when cultured. We are now asking which cells generate this rhymicity, how do they synchronize to one another, and what makes them unique in their ability to keep time?

Selected Publications:

Prolo LM, Takahashi JS, Herzog ED. (2005) Circadian rhythm generation and entrainment in astrocytes. Journal of Neuroscience. Jan 12;25(2):404-8.

Aton SJ, Colwell CS, Harmar AJ, Waschek J, Herzog ED. (2005) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide mediates circadian rhythmicity and synchrony in mammalian clock neurons. Natural Neuroscience. Apr;8(4):476-83.

Abraham U, Prior JL, Granados-Fuentes D, Piwnica-Worms DR, Herzog ED. (2005) Independent circadian oscillations of Period1 in specific brain areas in vivo and in vitro. Journal of Neuroscience. Sep 21;25(38):8620-6.

Aton SJ, Herzog ED. (2005) Come together, right...now: synchronization of rhythms in a mammalian circadian clock. Neuron. Nov 23;48(4):531-4.

Herzog ED, Muglia LJ. (2006) You are when you eat. Natural Neuroscience. Mar;9(3):300-2.