Oscar Horwath

My research interests generally revolve around skeletal muscle physiology, and more specifically around the regulation of muscle mass in relation to exercise, aging and disease. My thesis work aims to understand more about the molecular mechanisms behind age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) in different categories of older individuals, ranging from healthy, physically active individuals to those with both sarcopenia and obesity.

A key aspect of my work is to investigate how aging and obesity affect the anabolic response to exercise and nutrition (in terms of protein intake) by using a variety of techniques, such as tracer experiments, Western-blot, and fluorescence microscopy. The result of my work can hopefully improve existing countermeasures to reduce the loss of muscle mass and function in aging individuals.

Current research projects

• Anabolic Potential in Skeletal Muscle in Healthy Older Adults – The Importance of Exercise and Nutrition
• Fiber Type Specific Regulation of Muscle Protein Synthesis/Degradation in Young and Old
• Anabolic Resistance in Sarcopic Obesity