Marta L. Fiorotto

Associate Professor

Phone

713-798-7146

Email

martaf@bcm.edu

Positions

Associate Professor: Pediatrics-Nutrition
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX US

Associate Professor: Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas United States

Director: Mouse Metabolic Research Unit
Children's Nutrition Research Center
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas United States

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship at Baylor College Of Medicine: 01/1982 - Houston, TX United States; Pediatric Nutrition & GI

PhD from University of Cambridge: 01/1980 - Cambridge, United Kingdom

BSc from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology: 01/1976 - Manchester, United Kingdom

Professional Interests

Developmental Determinants of Skeletal Muscle Growth

Professional Statement

The major objective of our research is to identify the mechanisms that underlie the various effects of nutrient intake on the growth and function of skeletal muscle. In the perinatal period, skeletal muscle is the fastest growing protein pool in the body and, thus, is highly dependent on nutrient supply and the ability to use dietary nutrients efficiently. Thus, one of our research interests is to understand how nutrients regulate the primary anabolic processes responsible for muscle growth, i.e., protein synthesis and satellite cell replication during this period.

A second research interest is rooted in the observation that a brief period of growth retardation during a critical period of development results in a lifelong deficit in muscle mass and exercise capacity. We are conducting research to understand why this happens and to identify interventions that can reverse the muscle deficit and improve exercise performance.

We perform studies using the mouse and the newborn piglet as animal models, together with a wide array of techniques including in vivo tracer kinetics, in vivo metabolic measurements, an assortment of molecular biology techniques, microscopy, cell culture, and muscle physiology measurements to address these research questions.