Research Goals:
The primary goals of the Muscle Biology Laboratory are to elucidate the mechanisms of skeletal muscle strength loss, recovery, and adaptation associated with overuse (e.g., exercise-induced injury) and underuse (e.g., chronic bed rest or microgravity) activity, and to develop therapeutic interventions that prevent (or facilitate recovery from) the prolonged strength deficits associated with exercise-induced muscle injury and mechanical unloading-induced muscle atrophy.
Laboratory Resources:
The Muscle Biology Laboratory at Georgia State University occupies approximately 400 sq ft in the Department of Kinesiology and Health in the Sports Arena Building. The laboratory is equipped to study skeletal muscle physiology, electrophysiology, biochemistry, histochemistry, and molecular and cellular biology.
Specific equipment:
In vivo muscle testing setup. Functions of this setup are to evaluate mouse anterior crural muscle function (torque-velocity and torque-frequency relationships) and to induce injury to the anterior crural muscle via the performance of eccentric contractions. Primary equipment includes an Aurora Scientific300B servomotor, Grass S11 stimulator, Grass SIU5 stimulus isolation unit, and P3 450MHz computer.
In vitro muscle testing setup. Functions of this setup are to evaluate mouse soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscle function (force-frequency, V max, Vo) and to induce injury to the muscles via the performance of eccentric contractions. Primary equipment includes an Aurora Scientific 300B servomotor, Grass S11 stimulator, Grass SIU5 stimulus isolation unit, and P3 450MHz computer.
Microscopes / photometry system
Cryostat
Ultra-cold freezer
Electrophoresis equipment (i.e., SDS-PAGE)
Western blotting equipment
Northern blotting equipment
Receptor binding assay equipment
Electrophysiological equipment
UV/VIS spectrophotometer
Fluorometer
Ca2+ mini-electrode (SR Ca2+ uptake and release rates)*
Analytical balances, centrifuges, autoclave, dishwasher, temperature controlled circulating water baths
