Neuromuscular impairment and transcriptomic profile of sarcopenic muscle in humans (snSARC)

The project is dedicated to in-depth research on sarcopenia syndrome. Sarcopenia is a condition characterised by reduced muscle strength, low muscle quantity/quality and impaired physical performance. It is one of the health conditions faced by older adults and is recognised as an age-related and/or comorbid condition. Sarcopenia has a significant impact on loss of independence, disability, the need for long-term care and even mortality.    

This study focuses on the biological changes that influence the extent of neuromuscular impairment in sarcopenia. Molecular analyses and electrophysiological measurements will be used to investigate the functional integrity of the neuromuscular junction in order to identify the factors that lead to muscle dysfunction.

To better understand these changes, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) will be used, which provides information on the transcriptomic network of genes affecting muscle function at the single-cell level. Given the current lack of information on the transcriptome profile of single cells in skeletal muscle, this ambitious work is crucial to better understand cellular dynamics, intrinsic factors and novel markers related to muscle and its environment in pathophysiological conditions.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility contributes EUR 229,000, the total value of the investment. The project started in October 2023 and should be finalised by June 2026.

Additional Links:

• https://www.famnit.upr.si/sl/mednarodno-sodelovanje/projekti/ARIS 

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