Myosin Modifications in Aged Muscle

描述（由申请人提供）：候选人：K02候选人LaDora V. Thompson是一名细胞生理学家，其研究重点是年龄诱导骨骼肌退化的分子机制。虽然在肌肉生理学训练，汤普森博士获得了肌肉生物化学和分子生物物理学的经验。她的近期目标是专注于她资助的NIA R01基金“肌肉减少症中的结构和钙调节蛋白”。她的长期目标是在以下领域保持或超过目前的生产力水平：1)成功地获得持续的校外资助研究，重点是确定与年龄相关的肌肉功能障碍的潜在分子机制；2)利用最先进的生物物理和蛋白质组学技术继续为衰老研究做出贡献；3)指导学生和博士后研究衰老研究。K02独立科学家奖将为候选人提供必要的资金，以实现这些职业目标，为其提供工资支持，以减轻其沉重的教学负担，并使其能够将大部分时间用于研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Candidate: The K02 candidate, LaDora V. Thompson, is a cellular physiologist whose research is focused on molecular mechanisms underlying age-induced skeletal muscle deterioration. Although trained in muscle physiology, Dr. Thompson has acquired experience in muscle biochemistry and molecular biophysics. Her immediate goal is to focus intensively on her funded NIA R01 grant "Structural and Calcium Regulatory Proteins in Sarcopenia". Her long term goals are to maintain or exceed the current level of productivity in the following areas: 1) successfully attain continued extramurally-funded research focused on identifying underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for age-related muscle dysfunction, 2) continue to contribute to aging research by utilizing state of the art biophysical and proteomic technology, 3) mentor students and post-doctoral fellows in aging research. The K02 Independent Scientist Award will provide the necessary funding for the candidate to reach these career goals by providing salary support to decrease her significant teaching load and allow her to spend the majority of her time on research. Environment: The environment for Dr. Thompson's continued research progress is outstanding. Her research collaborators, Drs. Thomas and Ferrington, are internationally known scientists in the fields of muscle biophysics and proteins modifications (proteomics). Drs. Thompson, Thomas and Ferrington are involved with the funded Center on Aging and the Center for Muscle and Muscle Disorders at the University of Minnesota. They have a history of successful collaborations and publications. Their combined expertise provides a novel approach to answering specific questions about age-related deterioration of muscle. Research: The overall aim of this research is to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying diminished performance of muscle with age (Aim 1). We are using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (Aim 2) and proteomic (Aim 3) techniques to study the effects of age on the structure, function, and post-translational modifications of myosin, the major contractile protein in muscle.