James Fluckey, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Geriatrics with a secondary appointment in Physiology and Biophysics. Dr. Fluckey’s research is primarily focused on mechanisms associated with protein turnover and glucoregulatory function in muscle, and how these mechanisms may be altered by aging, diabetes, and/or microgravity. His current studies specifically focus on signal transduction mechanisms involved with muscle protein synthesis and degradation using robust activation/blockade methodologies. Other current studies focus on muscle protein metabolism during conditions of acclerated muscle atrophy, such as simulated microgravity. Experiments range from systems to cellular/molecular levels in both humans and animals using both basic and applied approaches.

Selected Publications:

Fluckey JD, Asp S, Enevoldsen LH and Galbo H. Insulin action on rates of muscle protein synthesis following eccentric, muscle-damaging contractions. Acta Physiol Scand 173: 379-384, 2001.

Fluckey JD, Dupont-Versteegden EE, Montague DC, Knox M, Tesch P, Peterson CA and Gaddy-Kurten D. A rat resistance exercise regimen attenuates losses of musculoskeletal mass during hindlimb suspension. Acta Physiol Scand 176: 293-300, 2002.

Fluckey JD, Hickey MS, Brambrink JK, Hart KK, Alexander K and Craig BW. Effects of resistance exercise on glucose tolerance in normal and glucose-intolerant subjects. J Appl Physiol 77: 1087-1092, 1994.

Fluckey JD, Ploug T and Galbo H. Mechanisms associated with hypoxia- and contraction-mediated glucose transport in muscle are fibre-dependent. Acta Physiol Scand 167: 83-87, 1999.

Fluckey JD, Pohnert SC, Boyd SG, Cortright RN, Trappe TA and Dohm GL. Insulin stimulation of muscle protein synthesis in obese Zucker rats is not via a rapamycin-sensitive pathway. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 279: E182-E187, 2000.

Fluckey JD, Vary TC, Jefferson LS, Evans WJ and Farrell PA. Insulin stimulation of protein synthesis in rat skeletal muscle following resistance exercise is maintained with advancing age. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 51: B323-B330, 1996.

Fluckey JD, Vary TC, Jefferson LS and Farrell PA. Augmented insulin action on rates of protein synthesis after resistance exercise in rats. Am J Physiol 270: E313-E319, 1996.

Fluckey, JD, Cortright, RN, Tapscott E, Koves T, Smith L, Pohnert S and Dohm GL. Active involvement of PKC for insulin-mediated rates of muscle protein synthesis. Am J Physiol 286: E753-E758, 2004.