In vitro muscle testing

In vitro muscle testing is like playing with toy cars but instead of cars, we use small pieces of muscle tissue. Scientists cut out a tiny piece of muscle from an animal like a mouse or a rat and put it in a special container. They add special liquids to the container to help the muscle stay alive and healthy.

Next, they attach tiny wires to the muscle piece that can help us measure how strong the muscle is. Then, they stimulate the muscle with small electrical shocks to make it contract and relax just like when we move our muscles in our bodies.

Scientists can use in vitro muscle testing to study how different things affect our muscles. For example, they can test the effects of drugs on a muscle or see how changes in our genes might cause muscle weakness or disease. By doing these tests, they can learn more about how our bodies work and how we can stay healthy.