Exploring the secrets of how muscles work

28 August 2001

Did you know that the tongue of a chameleon can be projected to 1,000 per cent of its resting length? Or that the Etruscan shrew, has a respiratory rate equivalent to 15 breaths a second?

More facts like these will be explored at an international conference on the "structure and function of highly specialised skeletal muscle", to be held at the University of Wollongong this weekend (1 and 2 September).

The conference, sponsored by the Journal of Experimental Biology, has attracted scientists from all over the world including Belgium, Germany, USA, Japan and Brazil and includes talks by Kevin Conley who will discuss the rattle-snake shaker and insect flying muscles and Martin Connaughton on the sound producing sonic muscles of some fish species.

"While the topics to be discussed might seem very esoteric to many, understanding how extreme muscles work can give very important insights into the secrets of how normal muscles work, according to Associate Professor Tony Hulbert.

Media please note: The venue for the conference is Room 104 of the McKinnon Bldg (Bldg 67) and the first session talks will be held from 1.30pm to 4.10pm. Filming/photography is possible then or during the afternoon tea break from 4.10pm to 4.30pm. Following this muscle specific program, the International Thermal Physiology Symposium 2001 meeting will begin on Sunday -- also in Building 67 but in Room 107. The two conference groups will join forces for a barbecue at 4pm on Sunday, 2 September near Bldg 67.