Summary
This project aims to build foundational knowledge on female pelvic floor muscle stem cells and the impact of pregnancy and childbirth on these cells, with the goal of developing preventative or therapeutic approaches for pelvic floor disorders.
What they want
The project will use a validated experimental model to examine phenotypic, functional, transcriptional, and epigenomic signatures of pelvic muscle stem cells across gestation, parturition, and postpartum periods to identify regulating signaling pathways. It will also test how ante- and peripartum environments modulate regenerative potential and impact muscle recovery following injury, ultimately providing insights into female pelvic muscle satellite cell regulation and regenerative capacity.
Deliverables
- Foundational knowledge pertaining to female pelvic floor muscle-specific muscle stem cells and the impact of pregnancy and childbirth on these cells
- Identification of candidate signaling pathways regulating the functional state of pelvic muscle stem cells
- Fundamental insights into the biological processes involved in the regulation of female pelvic muscle satellite cells and factors impacting their regenerative capacity following mechanical injury
- Knowledge enabling the development of novel strategies to prevent or treat female pelvic muscle dysfunction
Technical requirements
- Validated experimental model
- Examination of phenotypic, functional, transcriptional, and epigenomic signatures of pelvic muscle stem cells
