La Trobe University > Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology > Our research > Skeletal muscle biology and function

Skeletal muscle biology and function

We are focused on functional properties of skeletal muscle in response to physiological stressors such as exercise, injury and disease.

Our specific research interests include pharmacological interventions to increase muscle repair following injury, the role of antioxidants in muscle adaptation to exercise, and disease including muscular dystrophy and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Current projects

  • The role of extracellular matrix metalloproteases in development and disease
  • The role of selenoprotein S (SEPS1) in skeletal muscle strength and endurance
  • Factors contributing to skeletal muscle wasting and dysfunction in COPD
  • Novel botanicals as treatments for muscle injury and pathology

Team members

Group leader: Dr Chris van der Poel

PhD student: Brett Thompson

Honours student: Sally McBean