Seminar: Drosophila as a platform for discovering exercise mimetics

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Date/Time:Tuesday, 08 Mar 2022 from 4:10 pm to 5:00 pm
Location:1414 Molecular Biology
Cost:Free
Contact:Danise Jones,
Phone:515-294-2687
Channel:Research
Categories:Lectures
Actions:Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder
Join this Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Seminar Series to hear Dr. Robert Wessells, associate professor from Wayne State University, discuss research using Drosophila as a model for adaptations to endurance exercise and the possible use of exercise-induced mimetic molecules as a way to treat chronic diseases that prevent high-intensity exercise.

Join us in 1414 Molecular Biology to hear Dr. Wessells discuss this research.

Synopsis:
We have pioneered the use of Drosophila as a model for adaptations to endurance exercise and demonstrated that many outputs of endurance exercise in humans are replicated in exercise-trained flies, including endurance, speed, flight performance, autophagy, and mitochondrial activity. We have used these techniques to identify several conserved molecules that mimic many of the benefits of chronic exercise even in unexercised animals. Recently, we have begun testing these exercise-mimetic molecules as a way to treat chronic diseases that prevent patients from performing high-intensity exercise, including mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases. We have also begin preliminary work to study a novel model of chronic muscle disuse, and are testing whether exercise mimetics can ameliorate disuse phenotypes.