Home Department: Biology
Mentor: Helen Blau (Microbiology & Immunology)

2023 Research Project:“15-PGDH Inhibition Improves Muscular Function in a Murine Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)”

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that affects motor neuron function and muscle strength, leading to severe muscle atrophy. Currently, there are no effective treatments for the muscle degeneration associated with SMA. However, the Blau lab has discovered that inhibiting the enzyme 15-PGDH with a small molecule called SW can improve muscle mass and strength in aged mice. Ari aims to investigate whether the same approach can improve muscle function in a mouse model of SMA. This interdisciplinary project may provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of SMA and potential therapeutic interventions.
 

2024 Research Project:"15-PGDH Inhibition Recovers Muscle Strength in Murine Models of Muscle Unloading"

The Blau lab discovered that the protein 15-PGDH accumulates with age and drives aging-associated muscular loss. “Unloading” is a technique that induces muscle loss by preventing lower limb movement, similar to a cast. Ari will use this model to test whether deactivating 15-PGDH lessens the muscle loss that comes from unloading, especially in aging. Ari will perform unloading experiments on treated and untreated aged and young mice, and analyze their muscle and nerve tissues and muscle strength and endurance. If deactivating 15-PGDH helps lessen the muscle loss caused by unloading, it will help people recover more quickly from diseases and injury.