Robert A. Jacobs, PhD

Robert A. Jacobs, PhD
Research
The overall objective of the Human Performance & Bioenergetics Research Laboratory is to elaborate the biological relationship between skeletal muscle and whole-body health. We utilize physiological (i.e. near-infrared spectroscopy, etc.), biochemical (i.e. high-resolution respirometry, etc.), and molecular (i.e. immunoblotting, ‘omics’, etc.) techniques to decipher the mechanisms governing cellular energetics, mitochondrial function, and skeletal muscle genetic expression in the context of human health through the lifespan. We are particularly interested in examining how exercise and/or nutrition facilitate metabolic and morphological adaptations at the molecular and cellular levels. In addition to these basic, mechanistic studies, we also conduct applied research that focuses on the functional impact our mechanistic findings have on whole-body health and disease. Lastly, we are also interested in delineating the role of hypoxia on skeletal muscle adaptation and function. Our research is accurately defined as translational, taking basic benchtop research directly to application at the ‘bedside’ or into a respective theatre of human performance.