The analysis of gene expression is an important tool in the study of the skeletal muscle in different species. Due to its unique characteristics, this tissue plays a fundamental role in researches worldwide. It is accessible, readily sampled, very plastic and easily testable.

Transcriptomics, the study of the transcriptome, can be useful in many different ways. One example is the evaluation of the exercise-induced gene expression responses, which helps to understand the mechanisms of the adaptation of the skeletal muscle to a certain training protocol or in response to a specific type of exercise. The RNA expression and/or processing in diseases such as muscular dystrophies is the subject of a high variety of studies but the absence of information lead to limitation in the prognosis and treatment. Another goal in the study of the skeletal muscle is to comprehend the reason behind sarcopenia in people as they age.

Humans and athletic horses are the most broadly studied species, but this field can also be promptly applied to other animals. Several genes have been analyzed so far aiming to improve the knowledge regarding this amazing tissue, but the polygenic pathways of expression make this understanding hard to be achieved.

That is the reason why, we, from the Editorial Board of Journal of Skeletal Muscle, encourage you to cooperate with us!