Period gene

The Period (Per) gene is a crucial part of the biological clock in many organisms, including humans and fruit flies. It encodes a protein that helps regulate daily activities like sleep-wake cycles by interacting with other genes and proteins to produce rhythmic patterns. This gene's activity fluctuates over 24 hours, signaling when to be active or inactive, which keeps our internal clocks synchronized with the day-night cycle. Understanding the Per gene helps scientists learn how our bodies maintain regular daily rhythms and can provide insights into sleep disorders and other circadian-related health issues.