Specialization
Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Mitochondrial Physiology
Focus of research
General interests
My main research interest lies in the regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle metabolism and mitochondrial function. I am interested in the fundamental aspects of mitochondrial bio-energetics as well as its consequence for whole cell and organ function. To study this, I use research methods ranging from imaging and spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy and cellular and molecular techniques.
Achievements
I have contributed to the understanding of how the skeletal muscle cell is able to adapt mitochondrial ATP production to demand. For this, I investigate muscle oxygen uptake under various conditions. Because of the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and exercise intolerance, and cardiac dysfunction, I have contributed to further understanding the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction to functional outcomes in different conditions and chronic diseases. Some examples include the understanding of fatigue in current smokers and COPD patients, metabolic dysfunction in patients with right ventricular heart failure and cardiac dysfunction in patients with diabetes.
Besides, I have contributed to the development of various methodologies to assess metabolic and mitochondrial pathways from the whole-body level (including magnetic resonance imaging), via mitochondrial respirometry down to the molecular level (including live cell imaging).
Because of my time abroad, I have gathered a large network of collaborating scientists across the planet, including all over Europe, Japan, USA and Canada. This can provide ample opportunities for students to find internships abroad, please contact me for more information.
Current Research
My current research involves different projects in the area of 1) Muscle atrophy and metabolic alterations after inactivity (in collaboration with ESA/NASA), 2) Exercise capacity in various patient populations, 3) Development of new techniques assessing fundamental mitochondrial function in skeletal and cardiac muscle, and 4) Effects of inflammation on cardiac and skeletal muscle function.