Joe Chakkalakal
Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
Overview
Laboratory of Neuromuscular Development, Regeneration, and Aging
We study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuromuscular development, regeneration, and aging with an emphasis on understanding stem and progenitor cell fate and function, and stem cell niche biology. We are affiliated with the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Cell Biology as part of the Duke Orthopaedic Cellular, Developmental, and Genome Laboratories within the Duke University School of Medicine.
Aging-related declines in neuromuscular regeneration:
Aging is associated with significant deficiencies in skeletal muscle regeneration. We believe the inhibition of regenerated aged myofiber recovery coupled with interstitial pathological infiltrate and fibrosis are due to impairments in the reconstitution of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a specialized site where the synapse between a motor axon terminal and myofiber is located. Current studies include examining the cellular basis for the restoration of NMJs after injury. We are also pursuing mechanisms such as the manipulation of relevant stem and progenitor cell populations that may alter NMJ reconstitution after injury and how they impact myofiber recovery, interstitial pathological infiltrate, and fibrosis.
Postnatal neuromuscular growth and the consequences of pediatric cancer therapies:
Neuromuscular impairments are among the aging-related phenotypes observed earlier in pediatric cancer survivors. Early adolescence to adulthood is a period of significant skeletal muscle growth with active stem and progenitor cell activity that is sensitive to pediatric cancer therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy. Current studies involve examining how modulations in the cellular composition of skeletal muscle, the fate of stem and progenitor cell populations, and alterations of the muscle stem cell niche from early adolescence to adulthood impact healthy aging. We are also pursuing strategies to alleviate the near and long term impact of pediatric cancer therapies during this dynamic stage of neuromuscular growth.
Positions
Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery in the School of Medicine
2022 School of Medicine
Associate Professor in Cell Biology in the School of Medicine
2022 School of Medicine
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine
2022 School of Medicine
Education
Ph.D. 2006
2006 University of Ottawa (Canada)
Publications, Grants & Awards
- Grants (7)
- Academics Articles (45)
- Conference Pages (7)
- Book Sections (1)
National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
University of Rochester
University of Michigan
National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
Mol Cell
Cell Reports
Skeletal Muscle
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle
Nature Communications
J Bone Miner Res
Jci Insight
Muscle &Amp; Nerve
Development
Jcsm Rapid Communications
Curr Opin Support Palliat Care
Elife
Endocrinology
Development
J Stem Cell Res Ther
Development
Nucleic Acids Res
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism = Physiologie Appliquee, Nutrition Et Metabolisme
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism = Physiologie Appliquee, Nutrition Et Metabolisme
Human Molecular Genetics
American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
Neuromuscular Disorders : Nmd
Neuromuscular Disorders : Nmd
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
Neuromuscular Disorders : Nmd
Faseb Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Faseb Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Human Molecular Genetics
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Bioessays
Journal of Physiology, Paris
American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research
Arthritis & Rheumatology
Arthritis & Rheumatology
Offices & Contact
Durham, NC
27710