Adam Johnston

Research Interests

Dr. Johnston's  research is focused on stem cells and tissue regeneration and spans cell and rodent models to human clinical research.  He investigates the cellular and molecular regulation of peripheral nervous system repair, skeletal muscle homeostasis and skin wound healing. Through this work, he hopes to develop novel regenerative medicine strategies to promote endogenous tissue repair mechanisms and treat chronic and age-related diseases. 

Education

• BScHK with Honours, Human Kinetics (ST.F.X University)
• MSc Kinesiology (York University)
• PhD Kinesiology (McMaster University)
• Postdoctoral fellowship (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto)

Selected publications

1. Young, L.V., Wakelin, G., Cameron, A., Springer, S., Ross, J., Wolters, G., Murphy, J.P., Arsenault, M., Ng, Callo, N., De Lisio, M., S., Ljubicic, V., Johnston, A.P. Muscle injury induces a transient senescence-like state that is required for myofiber growth during muscle regeneration. FASEB J. 2022 Nov;36(11):e22587. Impact factor 5.9. 
2. Cameron, A., Waklin, G., Gaulton, N., Young, L.V., Wotherspoon, S., Hodson, N., Lees, M.J., Moore, D.R., Johnston, A.P. Identification of underexplored mesenchymal and vascular-related cell populations in human skeletal muscle. American Journal of Physiology – Cell Physiology. 2022 Dec 1;323(6):C1586-C1600.
3. Gaulton, N., Waklin, G., Cameron, A., Young, L.V., Wotherspoon, S., Kamal, M., Parise, P., Nederveen, J.P., Holwerda, A., Verdijk, L.B., van Loon, L.J.C., Snijders, T., Johnston, A.P.  Twist2-expressing cells reside in human skeletal muscle and are responsive to aging and resistance exercise training. FASEB J. 2022 Dec;36(12):e22642. 
4. Johnston, A.P.W*, Miller, F.D.*, The contribution of innervation to tissue repair and regeneration. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. 2022 Jun 6;14(9):a041233.  *Co-corresponding authorship. 
5. Young, L.V., Campbell, C, Moore, E.C., Arsenault, M, Dial, A.G., Bellissimo, C.A., Ljubicic, V., Perry, G.R.P., Johnston, A.P. Loss of dystrophin expression in skeletal muscle is associated with senescence of macrophages and endothelial cells. American Journal of Physiology – Cell Physiology. 2021 Jul 1;321(1):C94-C103. 
6. Carr, M.J., Johnston, A.P.W.*, Toma, J.S.*, Steadman, P.E., Yuzwa, S.A., Mahmud, N., Frankland, P.W., Kaplan, D.R., Miller, F.D. (2019). Mesenchymal Precursor Cells in Adult Nerves Contribute to Mammalian Tissue Repair and Regeneration. Cell Stem Cell. 24(2):240-256.e9.  *Co-second authorship. 
7. Moore, D.R*, Kelly, R.P., Devries, M.C., Churchward-Venne, T.A., Phillips, S.M., Parise, G., Johnston, A.P.* (2018). Low-load resistance exercise during inactivity is associated with greater fibre area and satellite cell expression in older skeletal muscle. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 9(4):747-75.  *Co-senior authorship. 
8. Carr, M., Johnston, A.P. (2017). Schwann cells as drivers of tissue repair and regeneration. Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 47:52-57.  
9. Johnston, A.P.*, Yuzwa, S.A., Carr, M., Mahmud, N., Storer, M., Krause, M.P., Jones, K., Paul, S., Kaplan, D.R. and Miller, F.D. (2016). Nerve-derived Schwann cell precursors, acting in a paracrine fashion, are essential for mammalian digit tip regeneration. Cell Stem Cell, 19(4):433-448. *Co-corresponding authorship.