Limna - Lausanne Integrative Metabolism Nutrition Alliance

Professor
Francesca Amati

Department of Biomedical Sciences - UNIL

The translational research lab on aging and muscle metabolism

Aging is associated with chronic metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. These complex disorders often result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as physical inactivity and diet. The steady decline of skeletal muscle mass that comes with aging (sarcopenia) is thought to be involved in these metabolic changes, however little is known on how deranged skeletal muscle metabolism influences the development of metabolic disorders. Using translational studies, our lab’s objective is to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying altered muscle metabolism with aging in different human populations and morphotypes. Further, using exercise as stimuli to increase metabolic demand we explore the reversibility capacity or alternative adaptations. Special emphasis is given to three intertwined pathways that are known to impact muscle metabolism, these are mitochondrial function (going from mitochondria biogenesis to the ability to discard damaged mitochondria and reactive oxygen species buffer systems), metabolic health in terms of differential substrate oxidation depending on the physiologic situation and finally types of substrates stored, particularly in what regards specific deleterious intramyocellular lipid. Using an integrative and translational vision going from the whole human down to the cell and subcellular spaces, allows us to dwell into mechanisms underlying muscle metabolism in aging and the impact of physical activity in the development of metabolic diseases.

Keywords

  • Aging and muscle
  • Sarcopenia
  • Translational and clinical research
  • Lipotoxicity and regional body composition
  • Mitochondria and oxidative capacity

Contact

Prof. Francesca Amati, MD PhD
Department of Biomedical Sciences
School of Biology and Medicine
University of Lausanne

 

Tel. Office +41 21 692 55 52
Tel. Reception +41 21 692 55 02
E-mail
Lab Website

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1731-0262