Evaluating myogenic cell force generation

The intention of this project is inquiry into the role of force signaling in skeletal muscle repair. Before muscle damage, muscle stems cells that are yet to be incorporated in the muscle fibers are relatively inactive, but when injury occurs they can multiply and are recruited to the site of damage. Many aspects of the cell and its surroundings could be involved in this process, such as points of contact between cell and substrate, the protein coating of the substrate, the cell’s cytoskeletal interaction with the substrate and substrate stiffness. Using different methods of microscopy, the intention is to carry what is known about myogenic cell and substrate interactions on a two dimensional gel format to a three dimensional gel format, and eventually in the context of a living muscle tissue. By doing this the hope is that the role of force signaling’ in muscle repair is made clearer as well as to understand why muscle stem cells lose their potency for repair as we age.

Faculty Supervisor:

Penney Gilbert

Student:

Partner:

Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Toronto

Program: