Perturbation analysis has been crucial in the study of biological rhythms.
Antisense technology provides investigators with new means to alter the int
ernal milieu of the circadian clock itself. Practical aspects of the method
and the theoretical background are presented in sufficient detail to enabl
e others to design appropriate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides acid use the
m for research purposes. This strategy will contribute substantially to the
understanding of the influence of individual genes on rhythms in hormone s
ecretion, metabolism,and behavior. (C) 2000 Academic Press.