My lab studies the neuromuscular system and its response and adaptation to positive and negative stressors. Skeletal muscle is a particularly interesting tissue because it interacts with numerous systems and signals to control movement as well as glucose homeostasis, metabolism, and thermogenesis. A recent focus of my research has been on identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the loss of skeletal muscle mass. Skeletal muscle loss occurs as a result ofmany conditions including disuse, bed rest, spinal cord injury, neurodegeneration, diabetes, cancer, chronic glucocorticoid treatment, and microgravity.  Further, every individual will experience a loss of muscle mass and function as a result ofaging. Our primary goals are to identify the mechanisms responsible for muscle loss and determine strategies for preventing the loss of mass and function or accelerating recovery following a period of acute muscle loss.

Our research has identified several E3 Ubiquitin Ligases that are important regulators of skeletal muscle mass. We have utilized genetically modified mice and in vivo electroporation to examine the effect of over-expression and knock-down of selected genes on muscle mass and function. Our recent studies have focused on identification of the substrates modified by specific E3 ligases and understanding the role of substrate ubiquitin on protein function and turnover.

We have also investigated the mechanisms that regulate adaptive muscle growth in adult animals. The mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle growth are of interest since activation of anabolic pathways could be beneficial in the treatment of atrophy or in enhancing the recovery of muscle mass following an atrophy-inducing event. A current focus of the lab is identifying the mechanisms responsible for the attenuated recovery of muscle mass and function following disuse-induced atrophy in aged animals. Our ultimate goal is the development of therapeutics or therapeutic strategies that can prevent the loss of muscle mass and strength.

My Publications