Univerza na Primorskem
Fakulteta za matematiko, naravoslovje in informacijske tehnologije
Več informacij o projektu / More info about the project
Opis / Description
SLO:
Študija prvič obravnava vprašanje bioloških sprememb, ki vplivajo na obseg nevromišičnih okvar pri sarkopeniji. Sarkopenija je stanje, pri katerem je opazna "zmanjšana mišična moč, nizka količina/kakovost mišic in poslabšana telesna zmogljivost". Gre za eno izmed zdravstvenih stanj, s katerimi se soočajo starejši odrasli, in je priznana kot bolezen, povezana s starostjo in/ali pridruženimi boleznimi. Sarkopenija močno vpliva na izgubo samostojnosti, invalidnost, potrebo po dolgotrajni oskrbi ter celo na umrljivost. Glede na njen vpliv na življenje starejših odraslih, saj omejuje njihovo sposobnost skrbeti zase in sodelovati v družbenem življenju, je študija, v kateri nameravajo raziskati molekularne vzroke nevrogenega prispevka k sarkopeniji, izjemno pomembna Z molekularnimi analizami in elektrofiziološkimi meritvami bodo preučili funkcionalno celovitost nevromišičnega stika z namenom ugotovitve dejavnikov, ki vodijo v nefunkcionalnost mišic. Za boljše razumevanje teh sprememb bodo uporabili enocelično RNA-sekvenciranje (scRNA-seq), ki omogoča pridobivanje informacij o transkriptomski mreži genov, ki vplivajo na delovanje mišic, na ravni posameznih celic. Glede na trenutno pomanjkanje informacij o transkriptomskem profilu posameznih celic v skeletnih mišicah je to ambiciozno delo ključno za boljše razumevanje celične dinamike, notranjih dejavnikov ter novih označevalcev, povezanih z mišicami in njihovim okoljem v patofizioloških razmerah. Z molekularnim razumevanjem tega stanja ter zmožnostjo moduliranja celične disfunkcije se bo v prihodnjih desetletjih odprlo novo okno za farmakološke pristope z uporabo mRNA/miRNA tehnologije. Projekt je financiran na podlagi pogodbe o izvedbi in (so)financiranju raziskovalnega projekta za »krepitev mednarodne mobilnosti slovenskih raziskovalcev in raziskovalnih organizacij ter spodbujanje mednarodnega vključevanja slovenskih prijaviteljev« (šifra akcije C3.K8.IC) v okviru Načrta za okrevanje in odpornost.
EN:
The study addresses, for the first time, the question of the biological changes that influence the extent of neuromuscular impairments in sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is a condition characterised by “reduced muscle strength, low muscle quantity/quality, and impaired physical performance”. It is one of the health conditions affecting older adults and is recognised as a disease associated with ageing and/or comorbidities.
Sarcopenia has a major impact on the loss of independence, disability, the need for long-term care, and even mortality. Given its impact on the lives of older adults, as it limits their ability to care for themselves and participate in social life, the study, which aims to investigate the molecular causes of the neurogenic contribution to sarcopenia, is of great importance.
Through molecular analyses and electrophysiological measurements, the researchers will investigate the functional integrity of the neuromuscular junction with the aim of identifying factors that lead to muscle dysfunction. To better understand these changes, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) will be used, enabling the characterisation of the transcriptional network of genes influencing muscle function at the level of individual cells.
Given the current lack of information on the transcriptomic profiles of individual cells in skeletal muscle, this ambitious work is crucial for gaining a better understanding of cellular dynamics, intrinsic factors, and novel markers associated with muscles and their environment under pathophysiological conditions.
A molecular understanding of this condition, together with the ability to modulate cellular dysfunction, will open a new avenue for pharmacological approaches using mRNA/miRNA technologies in the coming decades.
The project is funded under an agreement on the implementation and (co-)financing of a research project aimed at “strengthening the international mobility of Slovenian researchers and research organisations and promoting the international participation of Slovenian applicants” (Action Code C3.K8.IC) within the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Plan.