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Asma Al-Zougbi, MD, MME

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dept. of Internal Medicine

Trainee Mentor: Christopher Adams, MD, PhD

email: asma-al-zougbi@uiowa.edu

Research Project

Molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy in endocrine disease

A common and often unrecognized complication of several diseases (such as heart failure, COPD, renal failure, cirrhosis) is skeletal muscle atrophy. Nevertheless, and despite its broad clinical impact, skeletal muscle atrophy lacks a specific and effective pharmacologic therapy and remains poorly understood at the molecular level.  Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms of skeletal atrophy and discovered a previously unrecognized essential role that a transcription factor, ATF4, plays in the development of skeletal muscle atrophy.

As an endocrinologist, I have an interest in hormone related muscle atrophy, which is also poorly understood. I study murine models of endocrine-related skeletal muscle atrophy, namely insulin deficiency and glucocorticoid excess. I have brought mouse models of these conditions into our lab and am currently investigating the role of the ATF4 pathway in the development of muscle atrophy under these conditions.

Over the next several years, I intend to use these mouse models, along with complementary studies in human patients, to determine the molecular basis of muscle loss and weakness in type 1 diabetes and Cushing syndrome. 

Training Activities

Met with ACRC hosted speakers: Dr. Dwight Towler, Dr. Mohamed Trebak, Dr. David Mattson, Dr. John Floras.

Attended FASEB Science Research Conference on Nutrient Sensing and Metabolic Signaling, Snowmass, Colorado, August 2018.

Other Accomplishments

  • Completed Masters Degree in Medical Education

  • Developed online training module for Endocrine Society's Fellows Training Series (with assistance from Lisa Morselli, MD, PhD)

  • Trained endocrinology fellows on ultrasound guided thyroid nodule biopsy (co-instructed with Dr. Nitin Pagedar, MD)

  • Attended on weekly weight management clinic and endocrinology fellows clinic

  • Attended on Endocrinology Consult Service (30 days per year)

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