ULK2 is Essential For Degradation of Ubiquitinated Protein Aggregates and Homeostasis in Skeletal Muscle
SUMMARY:
The goal of the Lira Lab is to understand how autophagy and other proteolytic processes are regulated in skeletal muscle, specifically looking at the Atg1 homologs, ULK1 and ULK2, as they play distinct roles in maintaining skeletal muscle homeostasis, morphology, protein aggregate degradation, and autophagy. These catabolic processes are often dysregulated in metabolic and skeletal muscle disorders such as type II diabetes, sarcopenia, and obesity. Understanding the molecular workings of these processes will help to maintain proper metabolism, muscle quality, and overall health thereby attenuating the negative side effects associated with these diseases
Speaker
Jordan Fuqua, MSc
PhD Candidate
Lira Lab
University of Iowa
Jordan Fuqua is a PhD candidate at the University of Iowa. His research focuses specifically on the regulation of autophagy and protein turnover in skeletal muscle and the impact it has on metabolic and muscle diseases. In addition to research he loves to teach physiology and help students understand the intricate and awesome details of how the human body operates