Molecular Biology of Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle

Faculty  

 

The Williams lab studies the molecular biology of cardiac and skeletal muscle. Current projects focus on molecular signals that control hypertrophy, remodeling, mitochondrial biogenesis and specialized programs of gene expression in cardiac and skeletal muscles.

 

Our research seeks to discover fundamental mechanisms of cell regulation and to develop biotechnologies that are applicable to clinical medicine. Recent progress has included the characterization of novel proteins and pathways that control fiber type-specific gene expression in skeletal muscles and hypertrophy of the heart.

Recent Publications

1. Olson EN, Williams RS. Calcineurin signaling and muscle remodeling. Cell 101:689-692, 2000
2. Hill JA, Rothermel B, Yoo KD, Cabuay B, Demetroulis E, Weiss RM, Kutschke W, Bassel-Duby R, Williams RS. Targeted inhibition of calcineurin in pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy: preservation of systolic function. J Biol Chem 10:10, 2002
3. Wu H, Kanatous S, Thurmond F, Gallardo T, Bassel-Duby R, Williams RS. Regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle by CaMK. Science 296:349-352, 2002
4. Rosenberg P, Hawkins A, Stiber J, Shelton JM, Hutcheson K, Bassel-Duby R, Shin DM, Yan Z, Williams RS. TRPC3 channels confer cellular memory of recent neuromuscular activity. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 101:9387-9392, 2004
5. Williams RS, Kraus WE. Exercise and health: can biotechnology confer similar benefits? PLoS Med 2:209-213, 2005.