Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD
Muscle and Physical Function Recovery after Acute Respiratory Failure
NIAMS, NIGMS
The overall goal of this clinical observational study is to determine cellular processes of the underlying failure to recover muscle function and understand the relationships between the presence of dysfunctional cellular mechanisms with physical dysfunction in survivors of critical illness.
Period of Performance: 09/2023 to 08/2028
Award: $2,249,868
Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD
Novel Gastrocnemius Muscle Characteristics in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients
National Institute on Aging
The goal of this study is to identify aberrant properties of muscle to aide in the development of new targeted interventions to improve walking ability in individuals with PAD.
Period of Performance: 01/2021 to 11/2025
Total Value: $1,573,904
Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD
Is Endoreplication of Myonuclei a Target for Muscle Growth?
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF)
The overall goal of this subaward contract with OMRF is to determine the pathways involved in the DNA replication capacity of post-mitotic muscle fiber nuclei. Results will inform potential therapeutic targets for muscle maintenance particularly with aging.
Period of Performance: 04/2024 to 03/2025
Total Value: $62,500
Christopher Fry, PhD
Preserving Physical Function in Patients with Kidney Disease
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
This study will define specific cellular adaptations underlying the skeletal muscle pathology in patients with chronic kidney disease. Identification of these biologic mechanisms is needed to delineate the etiology of skeletal muscle pathophysiology and identify novel therapeutic targets that can be pursued in future studies.
Period of Performance: 08/2021 to 06/2026
Total Value: $479,524
Christopher Fry, PhD
Myostatin Alters Muscle Composition as the Result of an ACL Injury
National Institute Arthritis Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases
This study is to determine the time course of deleterious changes within the injured limb muscle and identify myostatin as integral in the etiology of protracted muscle weakness in individuals following an ACL tear and reconstruction.
Period of Performance: 03/2018 to 02/2025
Total Value: $1,872,007
Christopher Fry, PhD
Alcohol and Dysfunctional Skeletal Muscle Mass: Implications in Aging
Louisiana State University
This project will focus on the design, interpretation, and analysis of experimental data from muscle stems cells to facilitate skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Human primary cell culture and matrisome turnover studies will enable the definition of the effects of alcohol use on dysregulated ECM turnover and myogenic capacity in older adults.
Period of Performance: 9/2023 to 08/2025
Total Value: $12,962
Christopher Fry, PhD
Leveraging Senotherapeutic Properties of Metformin to Improve Collagen Remodeling during Muscle Regrowth in Older Adults
University of Utah
Aging is associated with impaired muscle recovery following disuse atrophy. Restricted muscle regrowth and function may lead to health crisis events in older adults (i.e., falls, disability, metabolic diseases). The long-term goal of this project is to develop mechanistic-based therapeutic approaches to accelerate muscle recovery following disuse atrophy in older adults.
Period of Performance: 06/2024 to 05/2029
Total Value: $139,759
Christopher Fry, PhD
Mechanistic Assessment of NMES to Rescue Localized Neuromuscular Disruption after ACL Injury
NIAMS
ACL tears are a common injury, and in spite of surgical reconstruction and rehabilitation there remain significant impairments in the quadriceps muscle, which contribute to poor long-term outcomes. This project has identified a molecular signature of quadriceps neuromuscular dysfunction that contributes to the initial loss of quadriceps muscle strength. An innovative pre-clinical study will determine the ability of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to mitigate this early molecular signature and restore quadriceps strength.
Period of Performance: 08/2024 to 7/2029
Total Value: $488,782
Kirby Mayer, DPT, PhD
Cellular & Physical Function Outcomes Leading to Failed Muscle Recovery After Critical Illness
National Institute of Health
This study will focus on skeletal muscle protein turnover, cellular signally pathways, and TNA and mitochondrial biogenesis after critical illness. The findings will determine factors associated with the failure to recover muscle and understand the relationship with physical function in survivors of critical illness.
Period of Performance: 8/2022 to 7/2027
Total Value: $745,178
Allison Owen, PhD
Cellular and Molecular Determinants of Post-Burn Myopathy
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Severe burn trauma triggers profound muscle wasting and dysfunction which persists for years following injury. A long-term aim of this study is to unveil cellular and molecular drivers of burn-induced myopathy to identify innovative therapeutic targets for preserving muscle quality.
Period of Performance: 08/2024 to 05/2025
Total Value: $365,190