Who Is Charles Ehredt?

Charles F. Ehredt (1923–2007) was a distinguished American biologist recognized as a foundational figure in the field of chronobiology, the study of biological rhythms. His career, largely based at the Argonne National Laboratory, was dedicated to understanding circadian rhythms—the roughly 24-hour cycles that govern physiological processes in living beings. Ehredt's meticulous research explored how these internal clocks function in various organisms, from single-celled protists like Paramecium and Euglena to more complex life forms, and how they are influenced by environmental cues such as light and temperature. He made significant contributions to the understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of these rhythms and was instrumental in developing concepts related to chronotypes (e.g., 'morning larks' vs. 'night owls') and the impacts of desynchronization, such as jet lag or shift work, on health and performance. His work laid critical groundwork for future research into sleep disorders, metabolic diseases, and the timing of medical treatments (chronopharmacology).

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