Biography

Josephine Arendt BSc (University College London, 1962), PhD (University of London, 1966) on tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine and related indoles, FRCPath (1989), Dr med h c (2007) by publication.

Post-doctoral studies: Switzerland (University of Geneva, 1966-1977) initiation of projects that have occupied all her professional life: the physiological role of the pineal hormone melatonin and of light in the organisation of seasonal and circadian rhythms. She returned to the UK in 1977 (University of Surrey), to establish research in chronobiology and where she is now Emeritus Professor of Endocrinology and Doctor of Medicine Honoris Causa. She pioneered immunotechnology for the detection and measurement of melatonin and its metabolites, their response to light, and their use to characterise seasonal responses in animals and human circadian responses. She was one of the first to describe the use of light to change the timing of the human biological clock. She first described the chronobiotic properties of melatonin in relation to sleep and the circadian system and initiated its use for circadian rhythm related sleep disorders such as jet lag, shift work and non-24h sleep disorder of the blind. She highlighted the importance of light and melatonin in humans and continues to pursue research interests in this area particularly in Polar regions. In 1988 she founded a company Stockgrand Ltd, to exploit this expertise, all profits support research.

Publications

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Contact Information

Tel:  +44(0)1483689712

Fax: +44(0)1483689712

Mobile: +44(0)7781112177

Email: arendtjo@gmail.com