Christopher Fry, PhD
Alcohol and Dysfunctional Skeletal Muscle Mass: Implications in Aging
Louisiana State University
This project will focus on the design, interpretation, and analysis of experimental data from muscle stems cells to facilitate skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. There will also be analyzing of the human primary cell culture and matrisome turnover. This combination will enable the definition of the effects of alcohol use on dysregulated ECM turnover and myogenic capacity in older adults.
Period of Performance: 9/2023 to 08/2025
Total Value: $12,962

Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD
Muscle and Physical Function Recovery after Acute Respiratory Failure
NIAMS, NIGMS
The overall goal of this clinical observational study is to determine cellular processes of the underlying failure to recover muscle function and understand the relationships between the presence of dysfunctional cellular mechanisms with physical dysfunction in survivors of critical illness.
Period of Performance: 09/2023 to 08/2028
Award: $2,249,868

Christopher Fry, PhD
Preserving Physical Function in Patients with Kidney Disease
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
This study will define specific cellular adaptations underlying the skeletal muscle pathology in patients with chronic kidney disease. Identification of these biologic mechanisms is needed to delineate the etiology of skeletal muscle pathophysiology and identify novel therapeutic targets that can be pursued in future studies.
Period of Performance: 08/2021 to 06/2026
Total Value: $479,524

Christopher Fry, PhD
Myostatin Alters Muscle Composition as the Result of an ACL Injury
National Institute Arthritis Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases
This study is to determine the time course of deleterious changes within the injured limb muscle and identify myostatin as integral in the etiology of protracted muscle weakness in individuals following an ACL tear and reconstruction.
Period of Performance : 03/2018 to 02/2024
Total Value: $1,858,598

Christopher Fry, PhD
Rejuvenation of Skeletal Muscle Regeneration in Patients with Kidney Disease
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
This study will define specific cellular adaptations underlying the skeletal muscle pathology in patients with chronic kidney disease. Identification of these biologic mechanisms is needed to delineate the etiology of skeletal muscle pathophysiology and identify novel therapeutic targets that can be pursued in future studies.
Period of Performance: 01/2023 to 12/2023
Total Value: $30,000

Christopher Fry, PhD & Stanley Watowich, PhD
Preclinical Developments of a Novel Therapeutic to Rejuvenate Aging Muscle Stem
Ridgeline Therapeutics
This Phase II project will streamline efforts to develop an oral drug for hip fracture recovery. The therapeutics we are developing to improve muscle recovery and physical function will greatly enhance the quality of life of millions of older Americans at a high risk for fall-related injuries and dramatically reduce the financial burden on the US healthcare system.
Period of Performance: 9/2021 to 08/2024
Total Value: $353,863

Charlotte Peterson, PhD, and John McCarthy, PhD (College of Medicine)
The Role of Satellite Cells in Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy with Aging
National Institute on Aging
The purpose of this five-year study is to better understand the role of skeletal muscle stem cells (satellite cells) in the blunted growth response to exercise in the elderly, thereby providing a foundation for the potential use of stem cell therapy to prevent or restore losses in skeletal muscle mass during aging.
Period of Performance: 08/2021 to 04/2026
Total Value: $1,794,362

Charlotte Peterson, PhD and John McCarthy, PhD (College of Medicine)
Exercise-induced Skeletal Muscle Exosomes Promote Adipocyte Lipolysis
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
This study investigates the mechanism through which resistance exercise causes skeletal muscle to communicate with adipose tissue to promote the burning of fat. The findings from this study are expected to provide the fundamental knowledge necessary to develop a novel therapeutic strategy to treat obesity using exosomal miR-1 delivery to adipose tissue.
Period of Performance: 09/2018 to 07/2024
Total Value: $1,945,714

Charlotte Peterson, PhD, and John McCarthy, PhD (College of Medicine)
The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Sarcopenia
National Institute on Aging
The purpose of this exploratory grant is to test the hypothesis that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota promotes sarcopenia by inducing a state of anabolic resistance in skeletal muscle through TLR4 hyperactivation of mTORC1 signaling.
Period of Performance: 05/2021 to 01/2024
Total Value: $406,220

Charlotte Peterson, PhD
Novel Gastrocnemius Muscle Characteristics in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients
National Institute on Aging
The goal of this study is to identify aberrant properties of muscle to aide in the development of new targeted interventions to improve walking ability in individuals with PAD.
Period of Performance: 01/2021 to 12/2025
Total Value: $1,573,904

Charlotte Peterson, PhD
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Disability Reversal in PAD: The INTERCEDE Study
Northwestern University (National Institute on Aging)
In people with Peripheral Artery Disease, we will determine whether treatment with intermittent pneumatic compressive augments the benefits of exercise, whether intermittent pneumatic compression alone improves walking performance compared to control, and whether the benefits of intermittent pneumatic compression are durable.
Period of Performance: 08/2018 to 04/2024
Total Value: $122,881

Kirby Mayer, DPT, PhD
Cellular & Physical Function Outcomes Leading to Failed Muscle Recovery After Critical Illness
National Institute of Health
This study will focus on skeletal muscle protein turnover, cellular signally pathways, and TNA and mitochondrial biogenesis after critical illness. The findings will determine factors associated with the failure to recover muscle and understand the relationship with physical function in survivors of critical illness.
Period of Performance: 8/2022 to 7/2027
Total Value: $745,178