MOLECULAR AND INTEGRATIVE MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY

Our research group is interested in skeletal muscle that has high plasticity in responses to numerous conditions, i.e., spontaneous regeneration after injury, hypertrophy after mechanical overload, atrophy after disuse/aging, and adaptation in responses to exercise. Hence, understanding skeletal muscle physiology is an enormous field of research. The current area of skeletal muscle physiology research in our lab covers the wide range of investigations at molecular levels, cellular and animal models, and human study. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of skeletal muscle cell growth and adaptations in responses to growth factors, hormones, myokines, and extracellular vesicles using molecular approaches (i.e., q-PCR, gene silencing, immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and proteomics) are primary research focuses. Projects related to skeletal muscle regeneration, disuse atrophy, and muscular fibrosis in animal models are conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and explore the potential non- pharmaceutical/pharmaceutical interventions to improve the regenerative process, prevent muscle atrophy, and alleviate muscular fibrosis. Additionally, interventions to enhance exercise performance and skeletal muscle recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage in humans are studied. Altogether, our research findings are aligned with SDG3 and applicable for improving the quality of life and human well-being.