Investigator: David Angelini, Ph.D., Colby College
Project Summary
Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, is poorly understood at the genetic level. This study uses soapberry bugs as a model for muscle plasticity, leveraging their nutritionally induced flight muscle growth and atrophy. Comparing Jadera haematoloma, J. sanguinolenta, and Boisea trivittata, we assess muscle development, genomic differences, and selected candidate gene function. Findings will inform human muscle health and future biomedical research.