My current research rotation has two components. The first component is working on data anlysis from a clinical bed rest study being run by NASA. I was fortunate enough to work on data collection during the early stage of this study before my research sabbatical. This work involves analyzing spinal CT scans with software provided by our collaborators.
The second project I will be working on is a newer area for our particular lab group. In this project I will be utilizing high frequency Low Magnitude Mechanical Stimulations (vibrations ~0.3 g where g is acceleration due to earth's gravitational field) to cause phenotypic changes in bone, muscle and adipose tissue. The group recently published a paper related to this work which has generated a bit of buzz (no pun intended- I promise). An interesting finding was that adiposity could be reduced through this stimulation(Fig 1). I will be working on the next stages of this work as we try to further characterize the nature and causes for this observed phenotypic response to vibrations.
Figure 1: In Vivo MicroCT images of mouse torsos after 12 weeks of vibration (LMMS-right) or sham control (left). On average animals subjected to 12 weeks of LMMS had 27% less fat mass in their torsos than age matched controls (Rubin et al. PNAS, vol 104, no. 45 2007.)
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I am currently trying to select an in vivo model for my next experiment. The early favorite is a model using an ob/ob mouse. These mice have a number of interesting characteristics, most notably severe obesity without diet influence. It is now understood that the cause of this defect is a leptin deficiency. I would like to find out what effect an exogenous mechanical stimulation has on bone, muscle and adipose in a model where biochemistry strongly predisposes the animal to adiposity.