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The Nutrabolt Molecular and Applied Sciences Laboratory’s research focuses on:
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How nutrition and exercise affects the molecular environment of muscle and fat tissues (e.g., mRNA and protein expression changes as well as morphology).
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How aging affects the genetic architecture of skeletal muscle.
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How weight-training affects intra-muscle cell adaptations.
The research conducted in the Nutrabolt laboratory prepares students to conduct animal and cell culture models, as well as human studies.
The laboratory routinely conducts Western Blotting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histology, and various enzyme assays.
Research
Recent and ongoing studies include:
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How whey protein and amino acids affect chronic resistance and endurance training parameters.
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How skeletal muscle aging affects LINE-1 “jumping gene” activity in skeletal muscle.
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How different forms of weight-training affect molecular adaptations in skeletal muscle.
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What physiological differences exist between individuals that grow muscle during resistance training versus those that do not.
Dr. Roberts is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Auburn University where he serves as the Director of the Molecular and Applied Sciences Laboratory as well as the Director of the Applied Physiology Laboratory. Dr. Roberts’ laboratory utilizes cell culture, rodent, and basic as well as applied human models to examine how nutrition and/or exercise affects cellular biomarkers and whole-body physiology. He currently has over 180 publications in several preeminent physiology and nutrition journals, serves senior editor roles in various physiology journals, and has given numerous lectures at regional, national and international scientific conferences.
