Muscle Biology

of skeletal muscle , zebrafish embryo, anti-Myosin (red) and anti-Actinin (green) antibodies
Image:Super resolution image of skeletal muscle from a zebrafish embryo, labelled with anti-Myosin (red) and anti-Actinin (green) antibodies.

Our group creatively integrates diverse model systems, from 2D and 3D human muscle tissue cultures to fly, fish and mouse models, which we complement with work on human samples, to model complex acquired and inherited muscle diseases.

Credit: Dr Avnika Ruparelia.
From the first breath of a newborn to the resilience of an athlete, from fighting disease to embracing longevity, muscle is indispensable to our existence. Our groundbreaking research explores ways to keep our muscle strong and healthy, aiming to help people from all walks of life—from babies to adults—live better, more active lives.

Dr Avnika Ruparelia, Academic Theme Lead

Dr Kristy Swiderski, Deputy

Muscle is Indispensable for our daily Life

Muscle is indispensable for our daily life, enabling us to sit, walk and simply stand upright. In line with its vital function, loss of muscle structure and function is associated with many diseases and conditions, including ageing and frailty, cancer, muscle injury, sepsis and muscular dystrophies.

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

Our researchers investigate the mechanistic basis of muscle wasting and weakness not only at the level of the muscle cell itself but also examine the biology of other cell types found within the tissue, including muscle stem cells, neuronal cells and immune cells, among others. We further leverage this knowledge to develop and test novel therapies for muscle disorders.

Our work spans across biomedicine, biomedical engineering, agriculture, and aquaculture, concentrating on five key areas:

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