The Department of Physiology is very pleased to announce
Dr. Stephen Alway, PhD, FASCM – Professor and Director
Departments of Physical Therapy and Physiology
UTHSC Center for Muscle, Metabolism, and Neuropathology
Dr. Alway will present his seminar titled “Mitochondria regulation of muscle stems in regeneration and restoration of function after injury” this Thursday, December 4, from 3:30 – 5:00 pm, in the Cancer Research Building Auditorium, Room 114.
Refreshments will be provided.
Abstract:
Skeletal muscle injuries are common and often result from physical trauma or excessive mechanical strain during voluntary or involuntary exercise. These injuries can cause significant muscle fiber damage, inflammation, and fibrosis, which impair functional recovery and reduce overall muscle performance and mobility. Effective regeneration of damaged muscle fibers and the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is essential for restoring normal function, a process that heavily relies on the activity of muscle stem cells (MuSCs). This presentation will focus on mitochondrial transplantation (MT) as a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance muscle regeneration following injury. MT involves delivering healthy donor mitochondria, either systemically or locally, to the damaged tissue of the host. Our research demonstrates that MT from healthy donor tissue plays a crucial role in promoting MuSC-mediated muscle fiber repair, reducing fibrosis, supporting recovery of muscle force generation, and facilitating NMJ repair after injury. Although the precise mechanisms underlying these benefits remain unclear, mitochondria are known to regulate cellular energy production, oxidative stress, and apoptosis—processes critical for tissue repair. By addressing the detrimental effects of severe muscle damage, MT offers a novel and potentially transformative approach to improving muscle regeneration and functional recovery.