University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · BiochemistryErvasti Muscle Lab
James M Ervasti · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus
Dr. James M. Ervasti's lab focuses on understanding dystrophin and its role in muscle health, particularly in the context of muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne and Becker. Through innovative animal models and advanced techniques, the lab investigates how dystrophin interacts with microtubules and how its absence contributes to disease. The research aims to identify therapeutic strategies that could effectively replace dystrophin with miniaturized variants.
dystrophinmuscular dystrophymicrotubulesanimal modelstherapeuticsutrophinmechanical propertiesmuscle biology
Research Aims
5AIM 01Define the functions of dystrophin in striated muscle.
AIM 02Investigate the effects of eccentric contractions on microtubule organization.
AIM 03Characterize the mechanical properties of dystrophin and utrophin constructs.
AIM 04Understand the interaction between dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and cytoplasmic actins.
AIM 05Explore therapeutic potentials of miniaturized dystrophins.
Skills the Lab Values
transgenic mouse modelspairwise mechanical comparisonatomic force microscopymicrotubule organization studiescell culturebiochemical assaysgenetic engineeringdata analysis
Output against the department
Publications155bottom 44% of dept.225th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations13ktop 39% of dept.157th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
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