How muscles reseal and rebuild after injury
Mechanisms of resealing and rebuilding in muscle repair
This work looks at how muscle cells patch holes and rebuild themselves after injury to help people with muscular dystrophy and other muscle damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11375462 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers are watching how muscle membranes close up right after they get torn and how the muscle cell rebuilds afterward. They focus on proteins that form a repair 'cap' (like annexin A6) and shoulder proteins (like dysferlin and MG53) that reinforce the seal. The team uses lab-grown cells, animal models, and advanced imaging to see repair in action and to test what happens when these proteins are changed. Findings could point toward ways to boost repair in muscles that are fragile from genetic disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with forms of muscular dystrophy linked to membrane repair problems or individuals with recurrent muscle membrane injuries would be the most relevant candidates for related patient-focused work.
Not a fit: People whose muscle weakness comes from nerve disorders or metabolic causes unrelated to membrane repair are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new treatments that strengthen membrane repair and reduce muscle damage in people with muscular dystrophy or repeated muscle injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies have shown these repair proteins are important and some experimental approaches that boost membrane repair have helped animals, but human therapies are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcnally, Elizabeth M — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Mcnally, Elizabeth M
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 below.