Molecular Signals Mediating Increases in Muscle Size and Function
In this webinar, Dr. Bert Blaauw elucidates skeletal muscle regulatory pathways and offers approaches to tackle muscle deficits for therapy.
Best of 2024: Intricate Advancements
As 2024 draws to a close, the following publication review features a collection of selected studies from our annual short-list. From uncovering the evolutionary novelties of sound production in baleen whales, the physiological properties and functions of Krause corpuscles, and the mechanisms underlying working memory, this year's research highlights traverse a multitude of innovative applications.
Worth the Weight: Impacts of Microgravity on Muscle Health
In anticipation of the 2024 American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) conference, the following publication launches into the latest insights on microgravity and muscle health.
Forward Advances in Biomechanics
In the context of muscle, the field of biomechanics explores how muscles generate force, produce movement, and interact with the surrounding muscle architecture, such as bones and tendons. These assessments are critical to understanding how muscles function during movement and how injuries arise, as well as informing rehabilitative practices and therapeutic strategies. The following publication review features recent advances in this field – ranging from the mechanical properties of rotator cuff muscles to the impact of lengthening and force velocity on different muscle groups.
Quick Start Guide to 600A
This blog will provide a brief overview of how to start-up and utilize our Real-Time Muscle Data Acquisition and Analysis System (600A) software.
In vivo Measurement of Knee Extensor Muscle Function in Mice
Quantification of knee extensor maximal strength is imperative to understand functional adaptations to aging, disease, injury, and rehabilitation. We present a novel method to repeatedly measure in vivo knee extension isometric peak tetanic torque.
Down to the Muscle: Sarcopenia Modelling and Interventions
Over the years, research into sarcopenia and aging has increasingly focused on improved models, mechanistic insights, and intervention testing. To highlight this trend, the following review covers the musculoskeletal characterization of aging models and the mitigating effect of a promising neuroprotective compound.
WEBINAR: Effects of Ovarian Failure on Muscle Form and Function
Live October 30th, this presentation features Parastoo Mashouri highlighting her pioneering research on the effects of gradual ovarian failure on skeletal muscle function.
Hearty Insights: Recent Advances in the Cardiac Field
Coming off the heels of this year’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions (BCVS 2024), the following publication review focuses on an array of cardiac research, ranging from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to whole animal studies.
Women’s Health Month: Strides in Muscle Physiology
In honour of Women's Health Month, May’s publication review covers recent advances in female-focused muscle physiology research. These investigations into gradual ovarian failure, the impact of non-sugar sweeteners during the reproductive stage, and the effects of partial glycogen synthase kinase 3 knockdown, collectively advance our understanding of how sex differences can impact muscle physiology.
Out of This World Research at Brock University: Post Mission Insights into Alterations of Soleus Muscle Function in Space-Flown Mice
Hear Dr. Val Fajardo, Jessica Braun, and Briana Hockey on their experience working on NASA's Rodent Research-20 (RR-20) mission at the Roskamp Institute, the data collected utilizing Aurora Scientific equipment, and future directions of the lab.
Spring into Action: Proteins of the Myofilament
In anticipation of the upcoming Myofilament Meeting, April’s publication review covers recent advances in the myofilament field. From the effects of inotropic agents on cardiac myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, protein kinase D’s role in cardiac homeostasis, and the contribution of specific myosin-binding protein C domains in muscle contraction, the following studies usher in a promising trend of exciting breakthroughs.
Step-by-Step: Analyzing Experiments in DMA
This blog will provide a walkthrough of how to analyze an experiment in our Dynamic Muscle Analysis (DMA) LabBook software.
Moving Mountains: Recent Feats in Muscle Physiology
As we March towards the 2024 American Physiology Summit, this month’s publication review covers recent advancements in the realm of muscle physiology, including the development of an improved resistance training method, the long-term musculoskeletal consequences of chemotherapy, and the characterization of crossbridge kinetics in cardiac trabeculae. Taken together, these studies reveal a promising trend of breakthroughs in muscle physiology.
Tackling the Heart of the Issue: Advances in Cardiovascular Research
February notably marks “Heart Month”, aiming to highlight the importance of cardiovascular health and its critical implications on our overall wellbeing. Tackling the heart of the issue, several cardiovascular studies stand out as key players within the preclinical research landscape. The following publication review covers recent advancements in the field, including a promising therapeutic drug candidate for heart failure as well as novel insights into the cardiovascular biology of Marfan syndrome and muscle contraction regulation.
Molecular Deep Dives in Force Production
As we launch full force into 2024, studies exploring the molecular underpinnings of force production in mice have blazed the trail of functional muscular research. From calcium dynamics during muscle contraction, to muscle impairments in myotonic dystrophy, and the effects of running on muscle mass in a dystrophic mouse model, January's novel insights into muscle function and regulation have important implications on our understanding of muscle physiology and health.
Best of 2023: Across Countries and Applications
2023 has proved to be a particularly fruitful year for scientific discovery, with a multitude of pioneering studies spanning continents and disciplines. From the intricate workings of muscle physiology in Switzerland to the nuanced understanding of migraine mechanisms in the USA, the discernment of mosquito olfactory processing in India, and the innovative strides in sustainable materials science in Germany and Austria, this year's research highlights embody the spirit of global collaboration and scientific ingenuity. We hope that, by highlighting the multitude of ways our instruments provide precise and reliable data, future and current researchers can draw inspiration for new and innovative ways to collaborate across borders.
In Vivo Measurement of Hindlimb Dorsiflexor Isometric Torque from Pig
The present protocol describes concise experimental details on the evaluation and interpretation of in vivo torque data obtained via electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve in anesthetized pigs.
Out of This World Research at Brock University: Space Flight’s Impact on Female Mice Reproductive Health
NASA's SpaceX CRS-29 launched on November 9th carrying the Rodent Research-20 (RR-20) payload, the contents of which will be studied by Brock University's Dr. Val Fajardo and his team using Aurora Scientific equipment upon its return.
Renewed Interests: Harnessing Engineered Constructs to Explore Novel Strategies in Regenerative Medicine
Tissue engineering is at the forefront of regenerative medicine, offering immense promise for restoring or enhancing the function of impaired tissues and organs. While tissue constructs remain costly in clinical settings, their use as a research tool holds vast potential for drug discovery, aiding and expediting the screening of drug candidates. In this publication review, we will discuss three recent publications leveraging specialized equipment from Aurora Scientific to advance the innovative field of engineered tissue constructs.
Cancer Cachexia-Induced Muscle Atrophy
Cancer cachexia is a muscle wasting syndrome that is associated with certain cancers, but most commonly with advanced malignancies. This syndrome arises as a result of tumor-induced metabolic changes, causing the body to break down skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in response to nutritional deficiencies. These changes manifest as severe weight loss, anorexia, asthenia, and anemia, impairing the patient's capacity to tolerate infections, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments (Dhanapal et al., 2022). While research characterizing the multifactorial origins of this syndrome is still ongoing, three recent publications featuring our scientific equipment have made notable advances in the current understanding of this muscle wasting disease, and are discussed in this publication review.
Recent Therapeutic Advances in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Models
The following publication review showcases recent studies focused on therapeutic advances in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) that use Aurora Scientific equipment.
Cut and Paste of Myosin Binding Protein-C in Striated Muscles
Dr. Samantha Harris discusses the development of three new mouse models in her lab, engineered to target and replace specific myosin binding protein-C paralogs in muscle fibers and impact of their mutations on skeletal and cardiac muscle diseases.
Integrating Patient Engagement and Trainee Development in Pre-Clinical Research
Christopher Perry, PhD discusses how his laboratory aims to discover mechanisms by which metabolic dysfunction causes muscle weakness and apply these findings to develop new therapies for muscle disorders. Homira Osman, PhD will provide a particular focus on leveraging scientific findings for practice and policy and linking trainees with patient communities.
Analyzing Cardiac Tissue Function
The following publication review showcases recent studies that use Aurora Scientific equipment to make advances in the field of biomechanics.