Study Rebuilds Bacterial Circadian Clock to Unlock Gene Expression Secrets

UC San Diego researchers create a simplified system to study the fundamental principles of biological timing.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Researchers at the University of California San Diego have successfully rebuilt a microscopic circadian clock within cyanobacteria, tiny aquatic organisms. By identifying the minimal components needed to control gene transcription in these bacteria, they've created a simplified system for studying circadian rhythms. This breakthrough offers new opportunities to understand the fundamental principles governing biological timing across all life forms and has significant implications for biotechnology and personalized medicine.

Why it matters

Circadian rhythms are central to human health and well-being, but disruptions can lead to issues like jet lag, shift work problems, and altered responses to medical treatments. By studying an alternative bacterial clock system, researchers gain a broader understanding of the mechanisms driving these rhythms, which could lead to advancements in fields ranging from personalized medicine to biotechnology.

The details

The researchers successfully rebuilt a microscopic circadian clock within cyanobacteria, pinpointing just six proteins necessary to create a functioning clock. This simplified system offers a unique opportunity to dissect the complexities of biological timing, as the cyanobacteria clock is distinct from those found in humans and other eukaryotes, representing an independently evolved system. The team used advanced cryo-electron microscopy at UC San Diego's Goeddel Family Technology Sandbox to achieve this breakthrough.

  • The study was published on February 10, 2026.

The players

Mingxu Fang

A former UC San Diego postdoctoral scholar who was involved in the study.

Kevin Corbett

A professor involved in the study who highlighted the importance of using advanced cryo-electron microscopy at UC San Diego's Goeddel Family Technology Sandbox to achieve this breakthrough.

Susan Golden

A Biological Sciences Distinguished Professor and senior author of the study, who discussed the practical implications of the research for biotechnology.

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What they’re saying

“We now realize the components we necessitate to rebuild this clock to generate circadian gene transcription.”

— Mingxu Fang, Former UC San Diego postdoctoral scholar (newsy-today.com)

“These are practical biological tools that can be expanded to control the synthesis of desirable biological products in cyanobacteria or in other kinds of microbes used in biotechnology.”

— Susan Golden, Biological Sciences Distinguished Professor (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue exploring the potential applications of their simplified bacterial clock system in biotechnology and personalized medicine.

The takeaway

This breakthrough in understanding the fundamental mechanisms driving circadian rhythms across different life forms could lead to advancements in fields ranging from personalized healthcare to more efficient biofuel and pharmaceutical production.