Exploring a unique muscle that survives without oxygen
Official title: Walk this way: leveraging of a unique skeletal muscle that is resistant to ischemic injury
Funded at East Carolina University · NIH-10897684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special kind of muscle that can survive with less oxygen, which could help find new ways to treat people with conditions like peripheral artery disease and muscle disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Carolina University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greenville, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $377,500 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AR078100-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from ischemia-related conditions such as peripheral artery disease, myopathies, or severe limb injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to ischemia or those who do not have skeletal muscle involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a special type of skeletal muscle that can withstand low oxygen conditions, known as ischemia. By understanding how this muscle functions and survives despite limited oxygen, researchers aim to uncover new therapeutic strategies for treating conditions like peripheral artery disease and various myopathies. The study employs a combination of molecular, biochemical, and physiological methods to explore the muscle's unique mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to develop treatments that can improve tissue survival in patients suffering from ischemia-related injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance muscle survival and recovery in patients with ischemia-related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of ischemia resistance is well-known, this specific approach to leveraging a unique muscle for therapeutic purposes is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
East Carolina University
Greenville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spangenburg, Espen E — East Carolina University
- Study coordinator: Spangenburg, Espen E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.