Optimizing Methods for Measuring Sialidase and Sialyltransferase in Skeletal Muscle Tissues.
Start Date
April 2025
Location
3rd floor - Library
Abstract
Throughout deep-space exploration, there are many physiological responses to consistent exposure to microgravity conditions, including skeletal muscle atrophy. This effect has proven to be a great obstacle when it comes to facilitating long-term space missions, and current countermeasures against skeletal muscle atrophy are insufficient. In diseases of skeletal muscle atrophy, such as the genetic condition GNE myopathy, it has been found that skeletal muscle atrophy is linked to a decrease in sialic acid levels. In this study, fluorescent western blotting will be used to investigate changes in sialidase and sialyltransferase concentrations in rat muscle tissues modeling the effects of microgravity via hind-limb suspension. A protocol for probing these enzymes was created and tested to ensure that future students will be able to continue this important work and advance the study towards greater understanding of the relationship between microgravity conditions and sialic acid production.
Optimizing Methods for Measuring Sialidase and Sialyltransferase in Skeletal Muscle Tissues.
3rd floor - Library
Throughout deep-space exploration, there are many physiological responses to consistent exposure to microgravity conditions, including skeletal muscle atrophy. This effect has proven to be a great obstacle when it comes to facilitating long-term space missions, and current countermeasures against skeletal muscle atrophy are insufficient. In diseases of skeletal muscle atrophy, such as the genetic condition GNE myopathy, it has been found that skeletal muscle atrophy is linked to a decrease in sialic acid levels. In this study, fluorescent western blotting will be used to investigate changes in sialidase and sialyltransferase concentrations in rat muscle tissues modeling the effects of microgravity via hind-limb suspension. A protocol for probing these enzymes was created and tested to ensure that future students will be able to continue this important work and advance the study towards greater understanding of the relationship between microgravity conditions and sialic acid production.
