Physiological function, disease expression and drug effects vary by time of day. Clock disruption in mice results in cardio-metabolic, immunological and neurological dysfunction; circadian misalignment using forced desynchrony increases cardiovascular risk factors in humans. Exposure to blue light emitted from TVs, computers, smart phones, and tablets late in the day can affect circadian rhythms and sleep. We are acquiring pilot data in humans on the time-of-day-dependent changes in light spectrum exposure.
The current NanoLambda ApolloTMconfiguration, which includes software to operate the device from a computer, allows single or continuous measurements of the light spectrum with the option to save single files per mouse click.
The successful candidate will work:
- To automate the recording and saving of the light spectrum data obtained from the NanoLambda ApolloTM device at short intervals over longer periods of time using, for example, LabVIEW.
- To assess the feasibility to turn the NanoLambda ApolloTM device into a small-scale wearable device which could be positioned in close proximity of the eyes of a person. Questions include whether the casing could be optimized and how to handle control, power and data storage or data transfer to smartphone via Bluetooth.
This is a short term project with the potential to turn into something longer.