Musculoskeletal System: Stem Cells | Development | Regeneration | Disease | Evolution
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Lab of Gabrielle Kardon |
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The musculoskeletal system is complex - composed of muscle, muscle conective tissue, tendons, and bone- and essential for structural support, locomotion, and respiration. The broad aim of our lab is to understand the molecular mechanisms and cell-cell interactions regulating musculoskeletal development, regeneration, disease, and evolution. We focus on
In birth defects, disease, and aging, defects in stem cell number and function impair muscle development, repair and maintenance.
Muscle connective tissue: Critical for muscle form and function, and an important component of the stem cell niche.
Connective tissue orchestrates development of limb muscles and the diaphragm.
Overproduction of connective tissue (fibrosis) during injury, aging and disease significantly impairs muscle function.