6.4 Inside Muscle Recovery: The Science Behind Repair, Strength, and Ageing

Episode 6.4 of Science Basement:

Inside Muscle Recovery: The Science Behind Repair, Strength, and Ageing

Have you ever wondered what actually happens inside your muscles after a workout? Why does recovery feel different over time, and what changes as we age?

In this episode of The Science Basement, we sit down with Swetha Gopalakrishnan to explore the biology of skeletal muscle and the stem cells that drive its repair and regeneration. From understanding different muscle types to uncovering how “dormant” stem cells activate and make decisions, we dive into the cellular mechanisms that shape muscle function.

We also discuss how metabolism influences stem cell behaviour, what happens during muscle injury and recovery, and whether exercise can influence stem cell populations. Beyond the science, Swetha shares insights from her journey from academia into entrepreneurship, and how research can be translated into real-world impact.

Swetha Gopalakrishnan is a senior scientist working with Prof. Pekka Katajisto at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on skeletal muscle stem cells, their regulation, and their role in tissue regeneration.

Hosts: Aarti Venkatesan and Ernesta Nesta

Guest: Swetha Gopalakrishnan

Sound editing: Ernesta Nesta

Episode cover: Aarti Venkatesan

TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano

Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com