Stephen M. Roth, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Exercise Physiology, Aging and Genetics

Research

The lab's primary interest is in understanding how genetic variation (in interaction with the environment) influences various phenotypes in the contexts of aging and exercise. Most of our work has been targeted at identifying polymorphisms that influence sarcopenia (the loss of muscle strength and mass with age) and the response of muscle to strength training (an intervention for sarcopenia). Other genetics projects have addressed issues ranging from maximal oxygen consumption to hypertension. More recently, we've begun to address how our DNA may be influenced by physical activity interventions.

For example, recent student-led projects include studies of genetic variation in myostatin-related genes as it relates to skeletal muscle mass and strength; analysis of the association of physical activity levels with telomere length and telomerase enzyme activity; genetic analysis of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha promoter in relation to muscle mass and strength; molecular analysis of the impact of genetic variation in the androgen receptor gene on muscle gene regulation.

The Functional Genomics Lab also collaborates with other groups on a variety of genetics-related projects, including studies of hypertension and exercise responses, and exercise as a moderator of genetic risk of dementia.