Biomechanics
Muscle-tendon mechanics, neuromuscular function, smooth muscle biomechanics, and cardiac muscle biomechanics.
Myology Master's and PhD Program
The science of movement, strength, and healthy aging.
The heart muscle that works continuously throughout life, the loss of muscle mass that accompanies aging, and a single genetic mutation capable of causing muscle disease all belong to the same field of science.
The Myology graduate program at Yeditepe University brings together molecular biology, physiology, neuroscience, biomechanics, genetics, and movement science to study muscle from the level of genes and cells to whole-body movement and performance.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Head of the Department
The Myology program is led by Prof. Dr. Bilge Güvenç Tuna, Head of the Department.
The program combines basic biomedical science, physiology, biomechanics, molecular research, and translational approaches within an interdisciplinary academic environment.
Prof. Dr. Bilge Güvenç Tuna
Myology
MYOLOGY
Prof. Dr.
Head of the Department
Prof. Dr.
Bilge Güvenç Tuna
Head of the Department
Yeditepe University
From Molecules to Movement
Myology is an experimental and interdisciplinary field connecting biological, engineering, and clinical sciences. It plays an important role in understanding the detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases affecting muscle and movement.
The program aims to educate researchers who can understand muscle biology from the cellular level to the organ and human level, formulate scientifically sound hypotheses, select appropriate experimental methods, critically evaluate information, and follow the international scientific literature.
Students are introduced to the physiology of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle together with neuromuscular function, biomechanics, movement science, genetics, and disease mechanisms.
Four Perspectives on Muscle Science
Exercise Physiology
Cellular and molecular adaptation, cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory function, oxygen circulation, exercise responses, and muscle strength.
Movement Science
Physical performance, daily activity, athletic performance, kinesiology, and the biomechanics of human movement.
Health & Disease
Neuromuscular disorders and genetically based conditions affecting movement, including ALS, MS, SMA, and other rare diseases.
Why Myology?
Muscle is central to movement, metabolism, cardiovascular health, healthy aging, and physical independence.
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Aging: Age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, contributes to falls, dependency, and declining quality of life in older adults.
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Metabolism: Skeletal muscle plays a major role in glucose metabolism, making muscle biology relevant to metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
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Heart and blood vessels: Cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle are directly involved in cardiovascular function and disease.
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Genetic disease: Muscle disorders caused by mutations and genetic alterations are increasingly studied using molecular and genome-editing approaches.
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Sport and performance: Adaptation to training, injury, rehabilitation, and recovery are deeply connected to muscle biology.
The program brings molecular biology, physiology, biomechanics, and movement science together within the same interdisciplinary framework.
What Will You Learn?
The cellular and molecular world of muscle: Study skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle structure and function, together with gene expression, signaling pathways, molecular adaptation, and epigenetic regulation.
Communication between nerve and muscle: Explore the central and peripheral nervous systems, neuromuscular transmission, spinal pathways, cortical control, and pain physiology.
The science of movement: Learn kinesiology, human biomechanics, exercise physiology, metabolic and endocrine responses to exercise, and the interaction between cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems.
From disease to treatment: Examine mutations, polymorphisms, epigenetic changes, hereditary muscle disorders, and emerging therapeutic approaches.
Laboratory experience: Develop familiarity with experimental approaches and laboratory techniques related to muscle science and biomedical research.
Program Structure
| Study Area | Academic Focus |
|---|---|
| Skeletal, Smooth & Cardiac Muscle Physiology | Muscle structure, function, physiological adaptation, pathological changes, and related laboratory approaches |
| Nervous System Physiology | Neural organization, neuromuscular transmission, motor control, and pain physiology |
| Kinesiology & Exercise Physiology | Human movement, physical performance, exercise adaptation, and metabolic responses |
| Biomechanics | Muscle-tendon mechanics, human movement, cardiac and smooth muscle biomechanics |
| Genetics & Epigenetics | Gene regulation, hereditary muscle disorders, molecular mechanisms, and genome-related approaches |
| Scientific Research | Research design, scientific hypothesis development, interpretation, publication, seminar, and thesis work |
Shape the Program Around Your Interests
Students can broaden their training through elective coursework covering different aspects of experimental and applied muscle science.
Laboratory Animal Science
Applied Biomechanics
Anatomical Adaptation to Sport
Muscle Injuries
Neuro-Rehabilitation
Cardiovascular Physiology
Respiratory Physiology
Thesis and Research Areas
The thesis project is a central component of graduate training. Students have the opportunity to develop an in-depth research project around their own scientific interests.
01
Age-related muscle loss, sarcopenia, and healthy aging
02
Muscle adaptations to exercise and diet, including caloric restriction
03
Gene expression and epigenetic regulation in muscle development and function
04
Aging and disease mechanisms in cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle
05
Gut microbiota and its relationship with muscle and vascular health
06
Molecular foundations of hereditary muscle diseases and genome-editing approaches
07
Muscle injury, rehabilitation, adaptation, and recovery
Interdisciplinary research environment
Research may involve approaches from molecular biology, histology, animal models, bioinformatics, physiology, and related biomedical sciences.
Myology Graduate Education
Master's Program Type
Thesis-based
Language of Instruction
English
Academic Approach
Interdisciplinary
Main Focus
Muscle Science & Research
Questions about the programme?
Please contact the programme coordinator.
✉ Send an e-mail to Prof. Dr. Bilge Güvenç Tuna:
bilge.tuna@yeditepe.edu.tr