Newcastle University

Qualifications

MSc first-class Hons in Molecular Biology from Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.

Research Interests

I am interested in addressing mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of sarcopenia (muscle wasting) which occurs during ageing. Sarcopenia affects majority of ageing population resulting in up to 40% decline in muscle mass of certain muscle types between the ages of 20 and 80 years. This progressive muscle loss severely impacts quality of life of the elderly therefore it is crucial to investigate the mechanisms driving this process and search for therapeutic interventions.

Current Work

My current project focuses on investigating the potential involvement of the nervous system in sarcopenia. This includes comparing the numbers of motor neurons innervating selected skeletal muscles as well as the size and distribution of neuromuscular junctions between different age groups of mice.

The other project involves looking at regenerative potential of satellite cells (muscle stem cells) in muscles from patients suffering from Inclusion Body Myositis (an age-related disease) and healthy ageing individuals recruited for an exercise study.