Research Foci, Techniques, and Equipment

Bartlett Sciences is primarily focused on understanding the biochemical and physiological mechanisms that limit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in vivo within exercising human skeletal muscle, and how these mechanisms are affected by Sex, Training, Exercise-intensity, Aging, Medication use, and Disease (STEAMeD). More specifically, we examine how changes in tissue function observed at microscopic levels of organization (i.e., biochemical, molecular, and cellular) translate to changes in organ- and organismal (i.e., whole-body) function. 

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To achieve these research objectives, we use a wide variety of non-invasive imaging techniques, including: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), surface electromyography (sEMG) and muscle stimulation, pulmonary respiration (e.g., maximal O2-uptake), muscle dynamometry (e.g., muscle strength), and whole-body exercise tolerance via cycling and treadmill exercise. We also use minimally invasive techniques such as blood draws and muscle biopsies to examine changes in metabolic markers, enzyme concentrations, and ex vivo mitochondrial respiratory capacity (i.e., maximal mitochondrial O2-consumption in permeabilized muscle fibers).