Christopher W. Ward

Christopher W. Ward is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics, with secondary appointments in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. His research focuses on muscle biology, calcium signaling, and age-related pathologies.

• Primary: Orthopaedics
• Secondary: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Research Interests

Ward's work investigates the role of microtubule dynamics, calcium signaling, and protein modifications in muscular dystrophy and aging. Key areas include:

• Calcium dysregulation in heart failure and muscular disorders
• Microtubule modifications and cytoskeletal stiffness
• Mechanotransduction in bone and skeletal muscle
• Sex-specific differences in muscle aging and pathology
• Therapeutic strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Cardiac arrhythmogenesis and mitochondrial oxidative stress

Recent Publications

Recent work spans muscle aging, calcium signaling, and translational therapies. Trends include:

• Microtubule detyrosination in dystrophic muscle
• Nitric oxide effects on sclerostin degradation
• Targeting lysosomal calcium in arrhythmias
• Obscurin and titin interactions in cardiac pathology
• Exercise and mechanical load impacts on muscle and bone
• Advancing CAR T-cell therapy for cancer