CQUniversity's Appleton Institute in Adelaide has reached a significant milestone by hosting its first international conference this Friday.

The Australasian Chronobiology Society 9th Annual Scientific Meeting will be staged thanks to an organising committee and scientific committee dominated by CQUniversity representatives.

The University is also a sponsor of this annual event which is themed as Clock of Ages: Sleep and circadian rhythms across the lifespan.

Keynote speaker Dr Tamara Varcoe from the University of Adelaide will address "Life in a 24/7 society: the consequences of rhythm disruption during pregnancy".

The Australasian Chronobiology Society (ACS) was founded in early 2004. It aims to generate and discuss research in all areas of chronobiology, including both animal and human work to examine specific areas such as sleep and circadian biology.

Research conducted by ACS members encompasses human, animal and genetic work, and includes:

• definition of mechanisms by which environment and internal biological timing systems together modulate cellular functions
• elucidation of the mechanisms by which circadian rhythm disruption alters human organ functions
• identification of the mechanisms by which nocturnal activity/eating increases risk of diseases such as metabolic syndrome and cancer
• identification of potential opportunities for intervention to eliminate or reduce the risk of circadian rhythm disruption