Microscope for sarcomere research

As a PhD student, Guus Baan (now a research assistant at the Faculty of Behavioural and Physical Sciences - FGB) spent hours behind the microscope counting the cross-links (sarcomeres) in leg muscle tissue. Now, with a simple scan, this can be done in a few minutes. This microscope symbolises the progress of research technology and the patience of the researcher. But he also refers to the interdisciplinary approach of the department of Movement Sciences at the VU, also known for the clap skate.

Human Movement Sciences
The Faculty of Human Movement Sciences (now part of FGB) grew out of the Interfaculty of Physical Education (1971-1987). The combination of biomedical research, mechanics and also social science expertise made the research unique in the Netherlands. The research into sarcomeres in human (leg) muscle tissue, led by Dr. Peter Huijing, laid the foundation for further interdisciplinary muscle research within the (Inter)Faculty. It provided new insight into the function of sarcomeres in the muscle, and thus into human movement.

Sarcomere research in practice
Guus Baan: 'These fibres came from the calf muscles and the shin muscles, later also from a single thigh muscle. The bundles were prepared from the fixed muscles (in the cutting room) and treated with a 26% nitric acid solution. Afterwards, we rinsed them with demi-water and prepared them further with needles. Finally, the muscle fibres were put into a 50% glycerine solution. Now they were ready to be put on slides and I could determine the number of transverse stripes (measure of length) on such a fibre on the microscope. The image was projected onto the small screen in the hood. In those days (the eighties), everything still had to be done by hand. If you had a long fibre, it took you a morning. Nowadays, we could scan and count these fibres in a couple of minutes.

Highlights from the VU collections