This program provides interdisciplinary training in muscle biology for predoctoral and postdoctoral students. The structure, function, development and plasticity of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle will be considered on the molecular, subcellular, cellular, tissue and organ levels.
Our 18 faculty members come from two basic science and five clinical departments in the School of Medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore:
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Drug Development
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Orthopaedics
- Department of Pathology
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
- Department of Surgery
Our students enroll in the PhD program of the Graduate Program in Life Science (GPILS), University of Maryland Baltimore. Reflecting the diversity of faculty backgrounds, the training offered ranges from the molecular biological determinants of muscle development and molecular aspects of structure and function of muscle proteins through cell biological aspects of muscle cytoskeleton and matrix, biophysical and physiological analysis of individual muscle cell function, and biomechanical properties of whole muscles and muscular organs.
Our faculty is nationally and internationally recognized in the areas of calcium control of muscle function and muscle cytoskeleton and matrix with direct translational implications to myopathies and dystrophies. Our students will receive training in these and in a variety of related areas, including the molecular biology of muscle and the application of molecular biological and digital imaging techniques to fundamental questions in muscle biology, with emphasis on the use of several complimentary techniques to approach each question under investigation.
The major didactic aspect of the predoctoral training consists of two interdisciplinary courses on muscle which are regularly offered by the program faculty. Both courses have been well received by past trainee groups as they provide in depth consideration of all aspects of muscle biology.
Research Facilities
State-of-the-art facilities are available for molecular biological, biochemical, cell biological, structural, biophysical, physiological and developmental studies of muscle cells and their components. Application and development of new digital imaging microscopic techniques and quantitative analysis of collected data is a common strength of many of our program laboratories.
Pre- & Postdoctoral Fellowships
Pre-doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships are available for US citizens and permanent residents from an NIH (NIAMS) Training Grant. Support for non-residents may be available from other funding.
Postdoctoral applicants should e-mail their letter of interest, curriculum vitae and list of references to Dr. Aikaterini Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos, Director of the Interdisciplinary Training Program in Muscle Biology. Pre-doctoral applicants should send a request to Mrs. Koula Cozmo to have an application form sent by mail or fill out the online application form available at the Graduate School website. Pre-doctoral applicants should fill in the correct graduate program code in their application form and send the application fee to Mrs. Koula Cozmo. Further information is available from Mrs. Koula Cozmo.
Graduate Program Codes
- Anatomy: MANA
- Biochemistry/Molecular Biology: MBIC
- Mechanical Engineering: ENME
- Molecular & Cell Biology: MMCB
- Pharmacology: MPET
- Physiology: MPHY
Contact Us
For information about the program, please contact:
Aikaterini Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos, Director
108 N. Greene St., Rm 215A
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-5788 (Office)
AKontrogianni@som.umaryland.edu
To apply to the program, please contact:
Mrs. Koula Cozmo, Coordinator
Muscle Biology Program
University of Maryland School of Medicine
108 N. Greene St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-8417 (Office)
410-706-8297 (Fax)