Grant: Project Grant

Lay Abstract (2000 characters, spaces included) Skeletal muscle has an incredible ability to repair and grow, thanks to specialized stem cells called Muscle Satellite Cells (MuSCs). These cells are located on the surface of muscle fibers and are essential for muscle regeneration in response to injury, exercise, or disease. However, as we age, MuSCs lose their ability to repair muscle effectively. Understanding how MuSCs maintain their regenerative potential could unlock new ways to treat muscle-wasting conditions and improve stem cell therapies. Recent advances in stem cell research show that metabolism plays a critical role in controlling MuSC activity and their ability to form new muscle fibers. While much attention has been given to mitochondria-well-known energy-producing organelles-little is known about the role of peroxisomes, another key metabolic organelle. Peroxisomes regulate vital processes like fat metabolism and the production of molecules that influence cell energy, structure, and communication. This project aims to uncover how peroxisomes support MuSC function and test whether enhancing peroxisome activity can boost muscle repair and slow age-related decline. We hypothesize that peroxisomes are essential for MuSC function and that their decline with age contributes to reduced muscle regeneration. Using innovative models to manipulate peroxisomes in MuSCs, we will: 1.Explore how peroxisomes regulate MuSC behavior and muscle regeneration. 2.Identify the mechanisms by which peroxisomes influence MuSC fate and development. 3.Investigate how age-related changes in peroxisomes affect MuSC health. Through cutting-edge tools like imaging, multi-omics, and functional assays, we will study how peroxisomes interact with other organelles, like mitochondria, to control MuSC activity. This research will shed light on a neglected aspect of MuSC biology and provide insights into targeting peroxisomes as a new therapy.