Date of Completion

Spring 5-6-2012

Thesis Advisor(s)

James Cole

Honors Major

Biophysics

Disciplines

Biological and Chemical Physics

Abstract

In this study, we have combined SHG imaging with various fluorescent dyes which are designed to stain nuclei and used a skeletal muscle injury and regeneration model to establish the ability of this approach to reliably and reproducibly evaluate the above nuclear parameters. By using the cobra cardiotoxin (CTX-1), which creates acute well defined injuries within the muscle, on the tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius hind limb muscles of mice, predictable and reproducible regenerative patterns (in response to acute injury) can be observed by harvesting muscle samples at specific time points during recovery. Through SHG imaging, we endeavor to document and analyze complete myogenic repair responses including (1) the mobilization of peripherally-located muscle stem cells (satellite cells) along myofiber peripheral lengths, (2) migration of satellite cell-derived nuclei toward central positions within the damaged myofibers and (3) peripheral migration of de novo nuclei within repaired myofibers for end stage repair. We expect this approach to further validate SHG as an accurate measuring technique for muscle repair and myonuclear movement. The longer range goal for these experiments is to translate our techniques toward clinical research and ultimately clinical care, in an effort to help older adults maintain function and independence

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