Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Membranes that surround every cell in our body are important barriers and their structure is dependent, in part, on its fat composition. Changes to this structure can change the function of the cell. Muscle is important because it is the largest tissue in the body and plays a role in overall health. The focus of my research program is to examine how fat makeup of muscle membranes can influence the membranes association with neighbouring cell structures. There are certain muscle related dysfunctions (structural and metabolic) in which the sarcolemmal membrane (outer cell membrane), and more specifically the fat composition of this membrane, may play a role. In an attempt to examine the fat makeup of sarcolemmal membrane, past research has relied on aggressive extraction and isolation of these fractions, questioning their purity and representative nature. Recent methodology unrelated to muscle membrane structure may prove useful in examining pure and representative membranes. Micro-dissection and micro-manipulation is needed to isolate the muscle cell membrane and requires a specialized microscope system. The results of this research will help us understand what keeps muscle healthy and how fats in our diets may harm the muscle.