For most people, muscle loss is a normal part of aging that makes daily tasks harder. Muscle loss called sarcopenia happens more quickly, leading to falls and decreased mobility. One reason for this muscle loss is that stem cells that help repair damaged muscles lose their regenerative capacity with age. A team of researchers led by Dr. Jeffrey Dilworth received $1.5 million from Canadian Institutes of Health Research to study how the genes in muscle stem cells that control this repair ability are turned off with age. The team will first determine which stage of the muscle repair process weakens as our stem cells age. Then they will identify the epigenetic changes that prevent older stem cells from turning on genes that would normally be activated in young stem cells for repairing injured muscle. Epigenetic changes are biological mechanisms that switch genes on and off. These changes are usually reversible, so this research could lead to new therapies to rejuvenate the muscle stem cells in our aging population, improving their health and quality of life. Team Investigators include: Jeffrey Dilworth, Paul Beaulé, Guillaume Bourque, Marjorie Brand, Sasha Carsen, Peter Lapner, Allan Liew Muscle photo by Dan Robinson. Dr. Dilworth’s research is possible because of generous support for Regenerative Medicine Research at The Ottawa Hospital.

The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion

The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.

University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas

The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

Media Contact

Amelia Buchanan Senior Communication Specialist Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687 Cell: 613-297-8315 ambuchanan@ohri.ca