The Muscle Cellular and Molecular Biology Group published in the journal “American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology“ a paper entitled “Activation of ankrd1a expression marks newly forming myofibers and regulates muscle cell differentiation in adult zebrafish skeletal muscle repair”. 

Researchers studying zebrafish have uncovered a new player in muscle healing: a gene called ankrd1a. This gene becomes active after muscle injury and helps regulate the complex process of muscle repair, making sure new muscle cells develop at just the right pace. Ankrd1a acts like a fine-tuner, preventing muscle cells from maturing too quickly, which could actually slow down recovery. It's found not only in newly forming muscle fibers but also in nearby undamaged ones that respond to injury. These findings offer fresh insight into how muscle regeneration works, not just in zebrafish, but possibly in humans too, and could one day help improve recovery from muscle injuries. 

This research is part of the dissertation of Mina Milovanović and it was conducted within the project “ZEBARR - Zebrafish ankrd1a as a common player in heart regeneration and skeletal muscle repair – a new prospect for unlocking regenerative potential of human heart” coordinated by Dr. Snežana Kojić and funded within the IDEAS program by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia.