Lights out – The secrets of sleep

Alice French, a Senior Research Scientist at the Francis Crick Institute in London, explores the evolution of neural circuits. She will soon start her own lab at Bristol University, focusing on sensory pathways. Her goal is to uncover how animals stay alert during sleep and wake up when important information, like a predator's presence, arises. Alice is captivated by the diverse strategies developed by species in various environments to balance the benefits of restorative sleep with its drawbacks.

Jason Rihel investigates the mysteries of sleep and arousal (feeling of excitement or alertness) in zebrafish. Through his work he has demonstrated that fish have sleep-like states governed by similar genes and neurons to those that regulate sleep in humans. He started his career in behavioural genetics at West Virginia University, did his PhD at Harvard University and now leads his own research team at University College London, where he is Professor of Behavioural Genetics.