Scientists identify 'alarm clock' gene

Scientists have identified the 'alarm clock' gene which causes people to wake from a restful state.

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have found the gene which kick starts the metabolism in the morning, triggering physiological functions that tell the body its time to wake up, the report stated in the journal Science.

The discovery by the scientists is important as it has the potential to help explain the genetic underpinnings of sleeplessness, aging and chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes, possibly leading to future treatments.

Dr Satchidananda Panda, an associate professor in Salk's Regulatory Biology Laboratory, who led the research along with Luciano DiTacchio, said that so much of what it means to be healthy and youthful is linked to a good night's sleep.

"Now that we have identified JARID1a in activating our daytime cycle, we have a whole new avenue to explore why some people's circadian rhythms are off and to perhaps find new ways to help them," he explained.