Bert Blaauw

Bert Blaauw’s laboratory explores the cellular mechanisms underlying the adaptation and deterioration of skeletal muscle under physiological and pathological conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on the Akt-mTORC1 pathway, which is crucial in regulating muscle mass, contractile plasticity, and neuromuscular junction stability. His research integrates genetically modified animal models, biomechanical and transcriptomic analyses, and studies on human biopsies to identify molecular targets capable of preventing the loss of muscle strength associated with aging, cancer, and rare genetic diseases. His studies have direct implications for the development of therapeutic strategies related to physical exercise and muscle metabolic activity.