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.
DEMO: Cardiac Trabeculae Dissection and Experiments with the Aurora Scientific 1500A
The Aurora Scientific team will provide a methodology focused virtual demonstration of the dissection, tissue preparation, and mounting of cardiac trabeculae with their 1500A small intact muscle system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2024 Spring/Summer Scientific Conferences and Meetings
The Aurora Scientific team is continuing to journey out and connect with researchers at scientific conferences and meetings all over the world this spring and summer! We are particularly thrilled to be able to meet face-to-face with you all.
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.
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.
The Latest in Biomechanics
The following publication review showcases recent studies that use Aurora Scientific equipment to make advances in the field of biomechanics.
Exercise Science
Aurora Scientific equipment has played important roles in helping researchers understand muscle physiology under a variety of conditions in animal models as highlighted in this publication review.
Biophysics
The equipment needed to induce force, mount samples, and capture structural changes are among Aurora Scientific’s line of instrumentation and is highlighted in some recent publications in this review.