From cachexia to muscle hyertrophy - 19th Munich Muscle Meeting

The Munich Muscle Meeting is an initiative of the Munich muscle research groups. Our goal is to meet regularly to discuss current topics in muscle research and to initiate joint projects. On February 12, 2026, the 19th Munich Muscle Meeting took place, organized by Prof. Henning Wackerhage and Dr. Martin Schönfelder at the new TUM Campus in Olympiapark. The 19th event once again offered an interesting mix of different disciplines in muscle research, ranging from clinical and molecular biology to applied research fields.

Dr. Maria Rohm opened the event with the keynote lecture on “Cancer cachexia: Cancer-induced muscle wasting and metabolic dysfunction.” Maria Rohm leads the research group "Tissue Crosstalk in Cancer Metabolism" at Helmholtz Munich (Institute for Diabetes and Cancer). Her work focuses on investigating tumor cachexia, a life-threatening wasting syndrome in cancer patients characterized by massive loss of muscle and fat tissue. Rohm’s team studies how tumor cells reprogram the body’s systemic metabolism to meet their own nutrient needs, often leading to the breakdown of vital tissues. Organ crosstalk, especially between the liver, adipose tissue, and muscles, plays a central role in cachexia progression.

In a recent study published in Nature Metabolism (2026), her team identified one-carbon metabolism as a cross-tissue signaling pathway activated in cachexia, correlating with inflammation and muscle atrophy. The group is also searching for specific lipid molecules that could serve as early biomarkers for cachexia diagnosis.

Following the cancer patient topic, Susanna Gerike (Charité Berlin) presented on “Electromagnetic stimulation exerts altered expression of musclin, CXCL5 and PGC-1α in C2C12-derived myotubes.” Her work also established a connection between muscle atrophy and immunological processes, with links to cachexia. Susanna Gerike is a research associate in the Section of Clinical Neurobiology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, working on projects involving electromagnetic stimulation. Her research focuses on optimizing non-invasive therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Using in vitro models (C2C12 cell cultures), her team investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurostimulation, with particular attention to how variations in the pulse shape of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) affect human nerve cells.

Translating basic research into practice is always important but often challenging. Nina Schaller demonstrated that significant progress in physical fitness is possible even at an advanced age with her presentation on the long-term training study “The bestform-trial: Machine-based strength, coordination and endurance training in senior care facilities.” Nutritionist Nina Schaller is a research associate at the Chair of Preventive Sports Medicine and Sports Cardiology at TUM, with her main research focus being the project "bestform. Sport knows no age." As project and study leader, she coordinates this initiative together with PD Dr. phil. habil. Monika Siegrist, which is funded by the Beisheim Foundation. The aim is to maintain mobility and independence in older adults through targeted training. This preventive approach examines how multimodal strength, coordination, and endurance training can counteract physical decline in old age. The cluster-randomized study evaluates the effectiveness of the training program directly in nursing homes and residential facilities. The bestform team, led by Nina Schaller, coordinates program implementation and data collection to assess health effects and quality of life.

The evening concluded with Tim Havers’ presentation on “Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy as a Metabolic Sink: Evidence from C2C12 Cells & Arteriovenous Metabolomics.” His research aims to determine which metabolites are taken up or released by hypertrophying muscle cells. He used the interesting approach of comparing arteriovenous metabolite differences after strength training with suitable cell culture studies. Tim Havers is a sports scientist and doctoral candidate at the Chair of Sport Biology at TUM and a lecturer at IST University of Management. His research focuses on the mechanisms and clinical application of muscle hypertrophy (muscle growth), linking exercise science with molecular physiology and modern technologies. In a systematic review published in 2025, he analyzed the relationship between global muscle growth, fat mass, and glucose metabolism. The results show that increasing muscle mass significantly reduces body fat and improves blood sugar levels (HbA1c), opening new avenues for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. Havers also investigates the suitability of artificial intelligence (e.g., large language models) for creating professional training plans for muscle growth and maximum strength, and has published current recommendations for strength training in sports and exercise therapy for patients with sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), focusing on individual adaptation and functionality.

Overall, the event offered the approximately 30 attendees an interesting and interdisciplinary program on current muscle research. The 20th edition of the Munich Muscle Meeting has not yet been scheduled, but it will certainly take place later this year. Interested parties can register for our newsletter at any time.