Research

Skeletal muscle regeneration

Satellite cells (SCs) are skeletal muscle resident adult stem cells required for muscle repair and regeneration. In uninjured muscle, SCs typically exist in a quiescent state until called upon to participate in tissue maintenance or repair. Upon exiting quiescence, SCs undergo substantial changes in gene expression, protein homeostasis and metabolic regulation.

Research in the lab investigates myogenic cell state transitions, with a focus on metabolic changes accompanying SC activation. Ongoing projects include single-cell gene expression studies, metabolic profiling of differentiating SCs, and examination of SC defects in the context of metabolic disorders. We are also interested in how SCs interact with the muscle microenvironment following traumatic tissue loss (i.e. volumetric muscle loss or ICU/sepsis-associated wasting). 

Cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a wasting disease associated with a decline in skeletal muscle mass and function. Approximately 60% to 80% of people with advanced cancer exhibit this comorbidity that is linked to increased mortality, disease morbidity, chemotherapeutic and surgical outcome, and quality of life. We study how tumors disrupt organismal homeostasis to promote muscle wasting.

Ongoing projects include studies to identify: 1) tumor-derived cytokines and metabolites, 2) immune cell contributions to regeneration defects, 3) the muscle stem cell response to wasting factors, and 4) novel targets/interventions to counteract lean mass loss.

Neuromuscular disease

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) collectively affect ~1/1,000 people and patients who suffer from these diseases typically sustain detrimental health effects that negatively impact quality of life and/or shorten lifespan. To date, most NMDs do not have cures or dependable treatments. This is partly due to significant gaps in knowledge regarding mechanisms influencing NMD onset and progression. Long term goals include the development and utilization of cell and animal models to study NMDs, identification of novel therapeutic targets, and testing of these targets in physiologically relevant pre-clinical settings. 

Ongoing projects in the lab include: 1) use of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells to model GNE myopathy, 2) cell and tissue cross-talk in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), 3) regenerative therapy testing in GNE myopathy and DMD.