Publications by authors named "A M van der Bliek"

Wearable robots are often powered by elastic actuators, which can mimic the intrinsic compliance observed in human joints, contributing to safe and seamless interaction. However, due to their increased complexity, when compared to direct drives, elastic actuators are susceptible to faults, which pose significant challenges, potentially compromising user experience and safety during interaction. In this article, we developed a fault-tolerant control strategy for torque assistance in a knee exoskeleton and investigated user experience during a walking task while emulating faults.

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Mfn2 is a mitochondrial outer membrane fusion protein with the additional role of tethering mitochondria to the ER. Here, we describe a novel connection between Mfn2 and calcium release from mitochondria. We show that Mfn2 controls the mitochondrial inner membrane sodium-calcium exchange protein NCLX, which is a major source for calcium release from mitochondria.

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The dynamin-related guanosine triphosphatase, Drp1 (encoded by ), plays a central role in mitochondrial fission and is requisite for numerous cellular processes; however, its role in muscle metabolism remains unclear. Here, we show that, among human tissues, the highest number of gene correlations with is in skeletal muscle. Knockdown of Drp1 (Drp1-KD) promoted mitochondrial hyperfusion in the muscle of male mice.

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Article Synopsis
  • Exercise positively impacts health and helps diagnose aging-related diseases by altering mitochondrial function in muscles.
  • The study found that a single exercise session triggers a cycle of mitochondrial fragmentation followed by fusion, which helps delay the decline of physical fitness with aging.
  • AMPK plays a critical role in maintaining physical fitness and enhancing muscle function through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics, suggesting that targeting mitochondrial processes and AMPK could improve muscle function in older adults.
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