Department of Kinesiology
158 Totman Building
Amherst, MA 01003-9292
(413) 545-4944
edebold@kin.umass.edu
Muscle Biophysics Lab
www.umass.edu/public-health-sciences/about/directory/ned-debold
Professor of Kinesiology
Research areas include cellular dynamics.
Current Research
During intense contractile activity the ability of muscle to generate force and motion rapidly declines, a process known as muscular fatigue. Despite extensive study, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain poorly understood. We are interested in elucidating these molecular mechanisms in order to improve our basic understanding of muscle function and to develop more effective treatments for diseases related to fatigue, including ischemic heart disease and chronic heart failure. The force and motion generating capacity of muscle is ultimately derived from the conformational changes of muscle’s molecular motor, myosin, as it interacts with actin in a process powered by the hydrolysis of ATP. Therefore, to determine the root molecular causes of muscular fatigue we study the mechanics and kinetics of myosin function using state-of-the-art-single molecule biophysical techniques.
Learn more at Muscle Biophysics Lab
Academic Background
- Postdoctoral Training: University of Vermont, 2008
- PhD, Marquette University, 2002
- MS, University of Massachusetts, 1997
- BSE, Seton Hall University, 1992