Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded a $164,000 Project Grant to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, effective December 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029, under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). The award funds basic research investigating the role of SKNAC protein in mechanically induced skeletal muscle growth. The research aims to identify signaling pathways that promote muscle mass preservation and growth in response to mechanical loading, addressing a critical gap in understanding how mechanical signals regulate skeletal muscle mass and prevent physical decline associated with aging and disease.

The funded research delivers investigative products through phosphoproteome-wide analysis and mechanistic studies in human and mouse muscle tissue models. The project builds on preliminary findings demonstrating that longitudinal muscle fiber growth occurs through an mTORC1-independent pathway, with SKNAC protein identified as a candidate regulatory component exhibiting robust phosphorylation specifically following resistance exercise. Deliverables include mechanistic characterization of SKNAC-mediated signaling events, identification of protein synthesis regulation pathways independent of canonical mTORC1 signaling, and foundational knowledge to support future therapeutic interventions for muscle mass maintenance and prevention of sarcopenia.