Myokines

This study was developed in close collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Ana Teixeira(MBB, KI). We wanted to understand how changes that occur inside the muscle fibers (when we exercise or in situations of muscle disease) are communicated to the neurons that bring information from the brain and that allow us to move (motor neurons). We identified a molecule called Neurturin, that is released from muscle and encourages motor neurons to stay connected to muscle. This finding could have implications in diseases such as ALS

Processes activated in neuromuscular diseases have many of their molecular signatures similar to healthy muscle regeneration. However, there will usually be a faulty 'switch' that will plunge the muscle into degenerative state. I am interested in finding these switches and exploiting the knowledge of muscle repair to set them on the right track.