CBM Seminar Series – Intrinsic and Extrinsic Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells in Muscle Regeneration, Diseases and Aging

The College of Biomedicine was pleased to host Professor Huating Wang from the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, as a distinguished speaker in the CBM Seminar Series on 26 January 2026. Professor Wang’s team is internationally known for their work on the intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory mechanisms of skeletal muscle stem cells in regeneration, diseases and aging.

In her talk entitled “Intrinsic and Extrinsic Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells in Muscle Regeneration, Diseases and Aging”, Professor Wang addressed the growing public health challenge posed by population aging and age-associated sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, function, and regenerative capacity. She highlighted the significant clinical and societal consequences of sarcopenia, including frailty, falls, loss of independence, and increased healthcare burden.

Professor Wang explained that sarcopenia is partially attributed to age-related declines in the number and function of muscle stem cells (MuSCs), which play a critical role in muscle regeneration and homeostasis. She discussed how both intrinsic alterations within MuSCs and extrinsic deregulation of their niche environment contribute to impaired muscle regeneration during aging and disease. She further elaborated on the role of RNA helicases, particularly DHX36, in regulating gene expression in muscle stem cells through interactions with RNA and DNA structures. The seminar stimulated active discussion and highlighted the importance of fundamental research in advancing our understanding of musculoskeletal aging and developing effective interventions.