Faculty Name:
Micah Drummond
Department:
Physical Therapy and Athletic Training
Faculty College:
Health
Email:
micah.drummond@hsc.utah.edu
Project Description:
Metformin has been shown to have positive health benefits other than glucose lowering effects. Some of these include benefits in skeletal muscle. We are interested in studying the role of metformin on improving muscle function and metabolic recovery in the old following a short-term period of being immobile. We have clinical studies and mouse models to study this response. Specifically we are interested in metformin’s ability to improve muscle size and mitochondrial function during recovery.
Opportunity Type:
Volunteer; This is a work-study research position; Prepare a UROP proposal; Write an Honors Thesis
Student Role:
The student will be involved in analyzing muscle tissue using histology, imaging and/or other molecular techniques.
Student Benefits:
1) Gain experience with clinical and mouse research
2) Included as co-authors on related published studies
3) present work as abstracts at local research symposiums
Project Duration:
8-10h/week. Students will be working on a component of the larger project that can generally be completed at the end of each semester.
Minimum Requirements:
Biology or kinesiology-related majors are recommended. Prior experience in laboratory techniques and mouse handling is not required but would be advantageous.