Saxena Lab

Everybody sleeps – and for a good reason

The Saxena Lab uses genetics and genomics to identify pathways underlying sleep, circadian and pregnancy disorders and reveal links with cardio-metabolic and neurological disease with the aim to prevent, diagnose and treat these disorders.

Genetics of Sleep

  • What genes underlie differences in sleep patterns between people?
  • What are the molecular mechanisms underlying sleep disorders?
  • Why do we sleep?

Genetics of Circadian Rhythms

  • What molecular pathways cause changes in daily biological rhythms such as morningness-eveningness preference?
  • How does clock gene variation impact human physiology, behavior and disease?
  • What genetic variation influences timing of gene expression?

Genetics of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

  • What maternal and fetal genetic factors cause preeclampsia?
  • How does preeclampsia relate to cardiometabolic risk factors and outcomes?
  • What genetic factors contribute to post-partum hemorrhage?

Sleep, Rhythms and Disease

  • Does sleep and circadian rhythm disruption cause, mark or result from chronic disease?
  • What mechanisms connect sleep, circadian rhythms and disease?
  • Do sleep or behavioral timing interventions prevent or ameliorate disease features?

Learn More about our investigations into the science of sleep.

Featured Research Projects

Circadia Study

Circadia Study is a novel direct-to-participant cohort study focused on the genetics of individuals with advanced and delayed sleep phase disorder.

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Learn More about all of our research projects.

Saxena Lab in the News

READ MORE ABOUT THE SAXENA LAB IN THE NEWS..

Stay in Touch

We are looking for talented, enthusiastic researchers to join us.  Please contact us and review our opportunities page for open projects.