Muscle Changes

The Muscle Alterations and Atrophy Team's objective is to understand the genetic, cellular and physiological processes involved in muscle function. Researchers want to determine how the breakdown occurs and how certain muscle types change in weightlessness. Through this understanding, countermeasures to muscle loss can be developed.

Understanding the basic mechanisms involved in muscle breakdown will have a dramatic impact on all types of muscle wasting conditions experienced on Earth.

The group is investigating the effects of pharmaceutical agents, hormones, gene therapy and other measures in reducing muscle wasting. Research results may provide important new solutions for related human health problems on Earth, including muscle wasting associated with aging, injuries, long-term illnesses and debilitating diseases.

Muscle Alterations and Atrophy Research Team

NSBRI News Release:	Gene discovery linked to muscle atrophy in numerous conditions
NSBRI News Release:	Nutritional supplements may combat muscle loss