Muscle Physiology Applications
Aurora Scientific’s muscle physiology products are used in a variety of research protocols and assays to study skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle from cell to whole tissue. Whether in vivo, in vitro or in situ, physiologists can precisely measure various indices of function including force, length, and ratiometric calcium. They can also calculate important functional data such as twitch, tetanus, fatigue, force-frequency, force-velocity, stiffness and work loops, to name a few.
Popular basic science and preclinical applications of muscle physiology and function research are listed below.
Exercise & Metabolism
From studying how different athletes perform or recover to quantifying an animal model’s resistance to metabolic fatigue, the field of exercise and metabolic physiology encompasses a broad range of study. Aurora Scientific has solutions to address these different areas of inquiry whether in murine or other animal models, or even with human samples. Powerful software combined with precise instruments for studying whole animal, whole muscle and single fiber samples make Aurora Scientific the leader in providing Exercise Physiologists with the means to understand muscle performance at the highest level.
Common Applications:
- human performance
- fatigue
- injury rehabilitation
- training & exercise
Recent Publications:
- Quattrocelli et al. “Intermittent prednisone treatment in mice promotes exercise tolerance in obesity through adiponectin” Journal of Experimental Medicine (2022) DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211906
- Hinks et al. “Influence of weighted downhill running training on serial sarcomere number and work loop performance in the rat soleus” Biology Open (2022) DOI: 10.1242/bio.059491
- Yang et al. “Muscle-generated BDNF is a sexually dimorphic myokine that controls metabolic flexibility” Science Signaling (2019) DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aau1468
Cardiology
For nearly 20 years Aurora Scientific has been at the forefront of cardiac tissue mechanics research. Aurora Scientific equipment is used by many of the world’s top researchers studying isolated heart tissue, fibers and even cells. We understand that heart muscle is different from other types of muscle and that its study presents unique challenges. Whether measuring force in cardiac myocytes or quantifying the mechanical properties of iPSC-derived cardiac scaffolds, Aurora Scientific has the expertise and the instruments to support the most demanding of cardiac mechanics experiments.
Common Applications:
- myosin thick & thin filaments
- myofibrillar protein function
- cardiac scaffolds & constructs
- induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiac myocytes
- cross-bridge cycling kinetics
- artificial cardiac constructs
- cardiac tissue engineering
Recent Publications:
- Robinson et al. “Comparing the effects of chemical Ca2+ dyes and R-GECO on contractility and Ca2+ transients in adult and human iPSC cardiomyocytes” Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2023) DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.04.008
- Boldt et al. “A high-whey-protein diet does not enhance mechanical and structural remodeling of cardiac muscle in response to aerobic exercise in rats” Physical Activity and Nutrition (2022) DOI: 10.20463/pan.2022.0005
- Methawasin et al. “Shortening the thick filament by partial deletion of titin’s C-zone alters cardiac function by reducing the operating sarcomere length range” Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2022) DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.01.002
Muscle Pathology & Wasting
As the largest generation in history enters their senior years, research into muscle pathologies has come into greater focus. These can include rare conditions like muscular dystrophy or more commonly, muscle atrophy due to cancer or disuse after injury. To develop drugs and therapies that combat this broad group of myopathies, functional measurements of muscle are often required in animal models. Aurora Scientific has worked with researchers in this community to provide tools that allow the study of muscles like the diaphragm as well as non-invasive assays to perform longitudinal tests on an individual animal as a disease or therapy progresses. We are proud of our long history working with the leading researchers and academics in this field and proud of the role our muscle pathology research instruments have played.
Common Applications:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
- cachexia & sarcopenia
- gerontology & aging
- muscle atrophy
- spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- myotonia
- glycogen storage disease type II (Pompe disease)
- myotubular myopathy
Recent Publications:
- Leduc-Gaudet et al. “MYTHO is a novel regulator of skeletal muscle autophagy and integrity” Nature Communications (2023) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36817-1
- Delfinis et al. “Muscle weakness precedes atrophy during cancer cachexia and is linked to muscle-specific mitochondrial stress” JCI Insight (2022) DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.155147
- Cernisova et al. “Microdystrophin Gene Addition Significantly Improves Muscle Functionality and Diaphragm Muscle Histopathology in a Fibrotic Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy” International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023) DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098174
Molecular Biology & Pharmacology
The study of animal models is one of the foundational pillars of molecular biology research. Aurora Scientific understands that your animal model is unique, and that characterizing its molecular phenotype can be challenging. It is important that the mechanism of drug action be understood in order to comprehend complex tissue responses. We have the solutions to study gross whole body physiology or the function of specific muscles to make characterizing the response of your animal model to pharmaceuticals both precise and efficient.
Common Applications:
- knockout mouse function
- signaling and transduction pathways
- muscle regulatory proteins
- stretch-activated channels
Popular Systems:
- 1200A: Isolated Muscle System for Mice
- 1205A: Isolated Muscle System for Rats
- 1300A: 3-in-1 Whole Animal System for Mice
- 1305A: 3-in-1 Whole Animal System for Rats
- 1310A: 3-in-1 Whole Animal System for Large Rodents & Small Animals
- 1400A: Permeabilized Fiber System – Microscope Mountable
- 1500A: Isolated Muscle System – Microscope Mountable
- 1600A: Permeabilized Myocyte System – Microscope Mountable
- 1700A: Myofibril System – Microscope Mountable
Recent Publications:
- Jayash et al. “Anti-RANKL Therapy Prevents Glucocorticoid-Induced Bone Loss and Promotes Muscle Function in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy” Calcified Tissue International (2023) DOI: 10.1007/s00223-023-01116-w
- Russell et al. “Modulating fast skeletal muscle contraction protects skeletal muscle in animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy” The Journal of Clinical Investigation (2023) DOI: 10.1172/JCI153837
- Mani et al. “BAG3 Attenuates Ischemia-Induced Skeletal Muscle Necroptosis in Diabetic Experimental Peripheral Artery Disease” International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022) DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810715
General Muscle Physiology
Aurora Scientific produces transducers specially designed for measuring force, velocity, sarcomere length and other contractile properties in muscle. Integration with specially designed apparatus and software simplifies complex characterization of muscle properties. No matter what building block of muscle tissue you use as your model, from the myofibril to whole muscle groups and connective tissue, Aurora Scientific has a solution for you.
Common Applications:
- muscle contractile properties
- muscle architecture
- muscle metabolism
- fiber typing
- mechanical properties of muscle
Popular Systems:
- 1200A: Isolated Muscle System for Mice
- 1205A: Isolated Muscle System for Rats
- 1300A: 3-in-1 Whole Animal System for Mice
- 1305A: 3-in-1 Whole Animal System for Rats
- 1310A: 3-in-1 Whole Animal System for Large Rodents & Small Animals
- 1400A: Permeabilized Fiber System – Microscope Mountable
- 1500A: Isolated Muscle System – Microscope Mountable
- 1600A: Permeabilized Myocyte System – Microscope Mountable
- 1700A: Myofibril System – Microscope Mountable
Recent Publications:
- Michelucci et al. “Constitutive assembly of Ca2+ entry units in soleus muscle from calsequestrin knockout mice” The Journal of General Physiology (2022) DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202213114
- Tomalka et al. “Ultrastructural and kinetic evidence support that thick filaments slide through the Z-disc” Journal of The Royal Society Interface (2022) DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0642
- Fukutani et al. “Influence of residual force enhancement and elongation of attached cross-bridges on stretch-shortening cycle in skinned muscle fibers” Physiological Reports (2017) DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13477
Comparative Muscle Physiology
The study of how living things move and are shaped by their environment often requires specialized tools and assays. Aurora Scientific has proven instruments engineered to the highest standards of accuracy and precision to uncover the diverse functional characteristics of muscle in your unique animal models. Measure complex muscle contractile properties from leeches, zebrafish and even cheetahs with our diverse, high-performance muscle physiology equipment.
Common Applications:
- muscle energetics
- muscle morphology
- locomotion
- bio-inspiration
- invertebrate muscle
- amphibian muscle
- reptilian muscle
- mammalian muscle
Recent Publications:
- Olberding & Deban “Effects of temperature and force requirements on muscle work and power output” The Journal of Experimental Biology (2017) DOI: 10.1242/jeb.153114
- Klaiman, Jordan M. “Cold acclimation increases cardiac myofilament function and ventricular pressure generation in trout.” The Journal of Experimental Biology (2014) DOI: 10.1242/jeb.109041
- Klaiman, Jordan M. “Cold acclimation increases cardiac myofilament function and ventricular pressure generation in trout.” The Journal of Experimental Biology (2014) DOI: 10.1242/jeb.109041
Explore Muscle Physiology Content
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.
WEBINAR: 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.
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.