Research Description

We study molecular mechanisms underlying muscle specializations and patho-physiology of muscle diseases. Topics include developmental changes of muscle as a whole that lead to the formation of unique skeletal muscle group such as the extraocular muscle (EOM), control of muscle size by growth / developmental factors, as well as formation of synapses or neuromuscular junctions). This research is also interesting from a disease perspective since some of these molecules / pathways (e.g. myostatin, utrophin) offer therapeutic strategies for muscular dystrophy.