Circadian Rhythms and the Biological Clock: Understanding Sleep Patterns with Dr. Rzechorzek

About this episode

Dr. Nina Rzechorzek discusses human brain temperature and circadian rhythms in relation to sleep patterns.

What is the "normal" temperature of the human brain, and why might it not always be 37°C? In this episode of BrainCast, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Nina Rzechorzek, a clinician specialising in human brain temperature and neural circadian rhythms, previously at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge and now working with AstraZeneca. Tune in for a fascinating talk as Nina shares her experience researching and studying within the fields of neurobiology and physiology and gives insights into her groundbreaking research on sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, and much more! For further reading: Rzechorzek, N.M. et al. (2024) ‘Circadian clocks in human cerebral organoids’, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.20.580978 . This episode was recorded in 2024; Dr Rzechorzek is currently interim Coordinator of the Precision Health Strategic ResearchInitiative, based at the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cambridge'

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Nina Rzechorzek

Topics covered

• circadian rhythms
• sleep patterns
• neurobiology
• physiology
• brain temperature

Keywords

• circadian rhythms
• sleep cycles
• brain temperature
• neurobiology
• physiology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, AstraZeneca, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cambridge

Books & works: Circadian clocks in human cerebral organoids

More episodes of BrainCast

• The Twists and Turns of Academic Journeys | What's Going on at Sussex | Dr Andrew Penn · March 5, 2026 · 1h 15m
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Hidden Disabilities | Part 2/3 · November 25, 2025 · 1h 23m
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Hidden Disabilities | Part 1/3 · November 25, 2025 · 49 min
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Hidden Disability | Part 3/3 · November 25, 2025 · 41 min
• From Philosophy to Psychedelics | What's Going On Everywhere Else | Dr. Lia Iglesias · November 24, 2025 · 58 min
• Pannel Q&A: Internships and research experience · March 3, 2025 · 1h 4m