Professor in Molecular Physiology and Epigenetics.
Professor Sharples’ research group were the first internationally to show human skeletal muscle possesses an epigenetic memory of muscle growth (hypertrophy) after exercise.
Professor Sharples research group investigates if skeletal muscle possesses a 'memory' within its DNA (in the form of epigenetic imprints) following exercise, and after muscle growth or wasting. They also investigate how novel molecules affect skeletal muscle growth and loss.
Professor Sharples currently has 10 million NOK funding from the Research Council of Norway to investigate if human skeletal muscle remembers periods of wasting with age.
Lecturer in cell biology, molecular physiology and epigenetics.
Academic responsibility for "Cell Biology" (THP301) and "Specialisation in Physiology" (MA411).
Professor Sharples is an ex-professional Rugby League Player in the UK. His PhD investigated skeletal muscle aging using cell models and he undertook a Post-Doc Fellowship in three-dimensional skeletal muscle cultures. Then he spent 7 years at Liverpool John Moores University, ranked 1st for research quility in Sport and Exercise Sciences, UK (REF 2014) as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Reader (Associate Prof.) in Molecular Physiology and Epigenetics and 2 years at Keele University (Top 10 medical School, Guardian League Tables 2018) as the Director of the MSc in Cell & Tissue Biology. Professor Sharples joined NIH in August 2019 and was conferred to Full Professor in April 2020 to continue his research in the epigenetic regulation of skeletal muscle with exercise and age.
