From single-cell organisms to plants and mammals, cyclic biological processes are ubiquitous, with circadian (~24 h) rhythms being the most prominent, synchronized to the Earth’s day–night cycle. To date, most chronobiology studies have centered on circadian rhythms. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the endogenous circadian clock has provided researchers with a powerful framework to examine its interactions across intracellular, intercellular, and organismal levels. This understanding also enables the expansion of temporal analyses, from abstract Gaussian time series to physiological time dimensions spanning lifespans and even generations.

For instance, recent progress in probing the molecular mechanisms of the hair cycle clock (HCC), a lifelong cyclic transformation governed by both autonomous and non-autonomous regulation, illustrates how fundamental discoveries can drive translational advances, such as the development of chronotherapy in healthcare. Given these advances, now is a pivotal time to explore innovative techniques and models in chronobiology, aligning closely with the NIH New Approach Methodology (NAM) initiative.

We invite submissions of protocols and findings that advance chronobiology research. Contributions may include original research, hypotheses, methodological innovations (including improved protocols), or the development of new model organisms. We also welcome interdisciplinary input from physicists and computer scientists introducing novel analytical frameworks (e.g., Bayesian non-parametric models) to study the interactions between circadian and non-24-hour rhythms, such as ultradian metabolic cycles, lunar and circannual cycles.