Evaluation report

On May 13^th, 1997 CMRC was evaluated by an independent international panel consisting of:

Professor John Shepherd, The Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Minnesota, U.S.A., (chairman)
Dr. Susan Bonner-Weir, Joslin Diabetes Center, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Dr. Kevin Docherty, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Scotland
Dr. John C. Hutton, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Colorado, U.S.A.
Professor Claes Hellerström, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Biomedicum, Uppsala, Sweden
Professor Christoffer Mathias, University Department of Clinical Neurology, Institute of Neurology, London, England
Dr. Terry Hambrecht, National Institutes of Health, Maryland, U.S.A.
Professor Andy Hoffer, School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Professor Volker Dietz, Paraplegic Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, Schwitzerland
Professor Richard Stein, Division of Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Canada
Professor Whitlow Au, Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, U.S.A.
Professor Peter J.B. Slater, University of St. Andrews, Scotland

Their evaluation report:

The initial question the review panel addressed was whether this group of investigators comprise a centre. Professor Bengt Saltin outlined the interactions between investigators at the Rigshospitalet, the August Krogh lnstitute and the Panum lnstitute. The review panel was impressed with the evidence presented of the constructive interactions between the groups and was convinced that this is a classical example of what constitutes a centre. In particular, they felt that the studies that had been performed, and were proposed for the future, ranging from cellular and molecular biology to in vivo integrative investigations in intact humans, necessitated the collective expertise of varied groups, brought together under the visionary leadership provided in this centre. This is essential to understand the complexities of skeletal muscle function. These include local, neural and humoral factors regulating its blood flow to satisfy the metabolic requirements at rest and during exercise.

The panel was impressed with the individual group leaders and their staff. They felt that they had the ability to broaden their established international recognition in skeletal muscle research with their proposals for the future.

The Centre's progress since 1993 is exemplified by their numerous publications in highly regarded peer reviewed journals; their authorship additionally indicates the active collaboration of international investigators.

The Centre's reputation is exemplified further by the number of trainees who are working for the Ph.D. degree, and its success in attracting outstanding international candidates. The teaching program (including their courses in integrative physiology), has included world wide attendees. This further reflects the interest in this area of research and the reputation of the centre.

Concerning the proposed comprehensive future research plan, some of the outstanding and exciting areas include:

l. A technique to sample from muscle interstitium at rest and during exercise in humans. This will help to determine the key metabolic factors that may be involved in regulating muscle blood flow and stimulating the metaboreceptors in muscles that have a key role in activating the autonomic outflow to the cardiovascular system. In addition, the importance of nitric oxide in the regulation of the blood flow and metabolism of muscle will be addressed.

2. Utilizing a variety of non-invasive neuro-imaging techniques to identify the cerebral centres involved in "central command" during exercise. The continuing collaboration with Dr. Jere Mitchell of Dallas, Texas, an acknowledged leading contributor to this topic, will facilitate advances in this complex and important area.

3. Understanding physiological processes in normal humans; they will study a range of neurological and metabolic disorders affecting skeletal muscle. These studies will additionally help in elucidating patho-physiological processes in these diseases.

4. Studies of cellular and molecular processes in muscle metabolism. These include the mechanisms in transport of glucose and fatty acids into skeletal muscle during exercise and the genes regulating heavy-chain myosin isoforms. These are logical expansions that we hope will develop successfully to complement the human integrative studies. This development may require future collaboration or recruitment of appropriate personnel. Added expertise in these areas will strengthen the training programs.

In conclusion, despite skeletal muscle function being crucial for so many processes in the daily life of all creatures, including humans, there are multiple unresolved questions on this important activity both at rest and during exercise. This Centre has established itself as a unique and cohesive resource, with both the ability and the creativity to seek understanding of many of the vital mechanisms connected with muscles, in normal man and also in various disease states. It is a world class centre in human integrative physiology.

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