Characterising the pathways responsible for ICU-acquired weakness
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Research Project Leader
Dr René Koopman+61 3 8344 0243
Project Details
Muscle wasting is the most common complication of critical illness, occurring in 25-50% of patients. The extent of wasting is determined by the severity of organ failure and lung injury, however, a loss of 20-30% of muscle mass over the first 10 days in ICU is not uncommon. ICU patients generally have increased muscle protein breakdown relative to muscle protein synthesis, leading to a net catabolic state and rapid loss of muscle mass and function. To allow the development of novel and effective treatments to attenuate muscle wasting in ICU patients it is important to identify the signalling pathways and proteins that drive this catabolic state.
This project uses animal-based experiments and analyses of muscle biopsies from ICU patients to comprehensively test these mechanisms. Findings from this project will enhance our knowledge about the regulation of skeletal muscle mass during critical illness and will aid in the further development of treatment strategies.
Researchers
Dr René Koopman, Head of Laboratory
Marissa Caldow, Postdoctoral Fellow
Francesca Alves, Honours student
Funding
2018-2020 Duchenne Parent Project. Evaluating a sulforaphane-based nutraceutical to alleviate gastrointestinal dysfunction in DMD
2019-2021 ARC Development Grant. Mechanisms of age - related changes in amino acid signaling in skeletal muscle
Research Opportunities
This research project is available to PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students, Master of Biomedical Science, Post Doctor Researchers to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.