Exploring the TGF-beta network as a regulator of muscle growth and metabolism (#78)
Skeletal muscle accounts for almost half a person's body mass, yet we easily take for granted its role in our health and lifestyle. Our laboratory's goal is to understand the cellular mechanisms that regulate muscle growth, wasting and metabolism, so that we can develop new methods of preventing or treating the symptoms of muscle-related diseases. The transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling network is one of the most important regulators of muscle development and post-natal adaptation. Our work has demonstrated that individual TGFβ superfamily ligands influence intramuscular signalling differently to promote wasting and growth, and that these adaptations also have consequences for metabolic regulation. This presentation will provide an overview of how our research is dissecting the specific elements of the system that contribute to muscle adaptation and metabolic regulation, and investigating how we can manipulate TGFβ signalling to counter muscle-related disease.