Undergrad research in Graber lab

Dr. Graber is a muscle physiologist doing animal work on aging muscles. Here is more information about the undergraduate research opportunity in the Graber Lab (ECU Dept of Physical Therapy):

“My research focuses on the biology of aging, and specifically the effect of advancing age on skeletal muscle. I am currently working to uncover mechanisms of neuromuscular functional decline using small animal models of aging and exercise. For example, I am examining the link between age-related changes in gene expression in muscle tissue and the decline in exercise capacity observed in older adults. We use a variety of functional tests including rotarod (overall motor function), grip meter (fore-limb strength), treadmill (endurance), voluntary wheel running (volitional exercise) and inverted cling (strength/endurance) to determine physical function. We also determine maximum isometric force, contractile velocity and power using contractile physiology (in vitro with isolated muscle preparations and in vivo by electrical stimulation of plantar flexors, dorsiflexors and/or quadriceps). At the molecular level we use wet lab techniques such as Western Blotting , immunohistochemistry, q-rt-PCR, enzymatic assays, Next Generation Sequencing, and others to determine molecular mechanisms. If you are interested in muscle physiology, the biology of aging, and/or exercise, my lab might be a good fit for you and we have a number of interesting projects either ongoing or in the pipeline for the future.” – Dr. Graber

Students interested in working in Dr. Graber’s lab should email him directly: grabert19@ecu.edu