Understanding how muscle cells grow and shrink

Sizing and Scaling in Functional Muscle Cells

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11097206

This study is looking at how our muscles grow and work, especially when we exercise or as we age, using fruit flies and muscle cells from mammals, to help find better treatments for muscle problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11097206 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the genes and mechanisms that are crucial for the formation and proper functioning of skeletal muscle cells. By using advanced techniques in genetics, cell biology, and imaging, the researchers aim to uncover how muscle cells can increase in size with exercise or decrease in size due to aging or disease. The study utilizes both fruit flies and mammalian muscle cells to explore the fundamental question of what determines muscle cell size and how these processes are affected in various muscle disorders. The findings could lead to better therapies for conditions like muscular disorders and muscle wasting.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from muscle disorders, cachexia, or age-related muscle atrophy.

Not a fit: Patients with non-muscle related conditions or those who do not experience muscle atrophy or disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for muscle diseases and conditions that cause muscle wasting.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding muscle cell biology, but this specific approach focusing on muscle cell size is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.