Research
Emphasis Areas

Research Affiliates

Core Services
Behavioral Science Core

Brain Imaging Core

Cellular Morphology Core

Genetics Core

Infant Primate Research Laboratory Core

Instrument Development Laboratory Core

Martin Kushmerick, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Radiology, Bioengineering, and Physiology & Biophysics
Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability
kushmeri@u.washington.edu
206-543-3762
University of Washington, Box 357115
Seattle, WA 98195-7115

Dr. Kushmerick’s laboratory uses magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, MR imaging, and optical spectroscopy in metabolic studies. His research interests include the energetics, economy, and efficiency of muscle contraction, the integration of mechanisms from the molecular to the muscular level, and the design of systems for energy balance. The overall theme is the signaling, regulation, and interaction of molecular and cellular mechanisms in metabolism to sustain and restore energy balance in muscle. Kushmerick and colleagues are developing and using these multi-spectroscopic tools to investigate perfusion and mitochondrial function and dysfunction in human and mouse muscles, focusing on the aging process and selected diseases.

Lab studies cover the range of organization from single isolated animal muscles to intact human limb muscle. Part of the work entails constructing mathematical descriptions of each component and modeling the system to compare with actual physiological performance measures. A systems biology for these muscle mechanisms is the ambitious but eminently feasible goal, grounded in the philosophic view that the limitations in clinical medicine and basic science are the same: lack of mechanistic understanding of the physiological processes.

Martin Kushmerick's web page

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu