Muscle Biology

Image: Human muscles

The image show 3D human muscle tissues cultured for 7+ days. The muscle tissues are labelled for the structural protein Titin (green) showing the complex architecture of the muscle fibre and nuclei (blue). The generation of 3D human muscle tissues provides new capabilities to model complex acquired and inherited muscle diseases.

Credit: Dr. Kevin Watt
Medical conditions impacting our muscles are a major health problem that contributes to a large burden of disability and suffering globally. We are in an exciting era - finding treatments for these conditions is now becoming a reality

Associate Professor Paul Gregorevic, Academic Theme Lead

Dr Kristy Swiderski, Deputy

Skeletal muscle is essential for movement, breathing and metabolism.

Loss of muscle structure and function is associated with many diseases and conditions, including ageing and frailty, cancer, muscle injury, sepsis and the muscular dystrophies.

These conditions are major health problems that contribute to a large burden of disability and suffering worldwide.

Our researchers investigate the biology of muscle wasting and weakness while also contributing to the development and testing of novel therapies for muscle disorders.

In diverse areas of biomedicine, biomedical engineering, agriculture and aquaculture this work focuses on:

  • Muscle growth and development
  • Adaptation and plasticity
  • Exercise and metabolism
  • Injury and regeneration