Welcome to the Rassier Laboratory
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education | Montreal, Quebec
Our Research:
Our laboratory is dedicated to investigating the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of muscle contraction and force regulation in both healthy and diseased states. Our research encompasses a wide range of scales, including single cells, myofibrils, sarcomeres, filaments, and motor proteins. To achieve this, we utilize cutting-edge microscopy and micro/nano fabrication technologies to accurately measure muscle forces ranging from millinewtons to piconewtons. Additionally, the laboratory is also involved in designing and developing unique research instruments and experimental systems, tailored to fit our specific research needs.
Recent Papers:
Moretto L., Ušaj M., Matusovsky O., Rassier D. E., Friedman R., Månsson A. Multistep orthophosphate release tunes actomyosin energy transduction. Nature Communication. 13(1):4575, 2022.
Matusovsky O. S., Kodera N., MacEachen C., Ando T., Cheng Y. S., Rassier D. E. Millisecond Conformational Dynamics of Skeletal Myosin II Power Stroke Studied by High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy. ACS Nano. 15(2):2229-2239, 2021.
Haeger R. M., Rassier D. E. Force enhancement after stretch of isolated myofibrils is increased by sarcomere length non-uniformities. Scientific Reports. 10(1):21590, 2020.
Cheng Y. S., de Souza Leite F., Rassier D. E. The load dependence and the force-velocity relation in intact myosin filaments from skeletal and smooth muscles. American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology. 318(1):C103-C110, 2020.
Matusovsky O. S., Mansson A., Persson M., Cheng Y. S., Rassier D. E. High-speed AFM reveals subsecond dynamics of cardiac thin filaments upon Ca 2+ activation and heavy meromyosin binding. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 116(33):16384-16393, 2019.
de Souza Leite F., Minozzo F. C., Altman D., Rassier D. E. Microfluidic perfusion shows intersarcomere dynamics within single skeletal muscle myofibrils. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 15;114(33):8794-8799, 2017.