Kyle Bohnert, PhD is a professor of Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Services. Bohnert is the author of IRE1/XBP1 signaling promotes skeletal muscle regeneration through a cell non-autonomous mechanism (2021).. With a PhD in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology from University of Louisville, Bohnert has research interests in how skeletal muscle adapts at a molecular level to induce either hypertrophy or atrophy, and determining what molecules are responsible for inducing atrophy in tumor models of cancer. Teaches kinesiology courses related to skeletal muscle anatomy, function, and the molecules that regulate muscle health.
His research is focused towards understanding the molecular and signaling mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle mass.

Associate Professor
Kyle Bohnert, PhD
Contact Us
Hayes Hall 239
563-333-5743
BohnertKyleR@sau.edu
Education and Training
- PhD, MS, University of Louisville, Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology
- MS, University of Kentucky, Kinesiology and Health Promotion (Biomechanics)
- BA, Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana, Exercise Science and Psychology
Areas of Professional Interest
- Dr. Bohnert's lab is interested in investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle atrophy during disease.
- Specifically, Dr. Bohnert is interested in the role of a specific cell pathway called the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) that's involved in maintaining skeletal muscle after sciatic nerve denervation.
- Through collaborations with the SAU Biology Department and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Dr. Bohnert's lab uses histology and immunohistochemistry to determine the expression level of various UPR components as well as the effect on neuromuscular junctions. These investigations will have broad impact on understanding of muscle atrophy experience during such pathologies as Parkinson's, Muscular Dystrophy, and ALS.
Recent Publications
- Gallot, Y. S., & Bohnert, K. R. (2021). Confounding roles of ER stress and the unfolded protein response in skeletal muscle atrophy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(5), 2567.
- Parveen, A., Bohnert, K. R., Tomaz da Silva, M., Wen, Y., Bhat, R., Roy, A., & Kumar, A. (2021). MyD88-mediated signaling intercedes in neurogenic muscle atrophy through multiple mechanisms. FASEB Journal: Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 35(8), e21821.
- Gallot, Y. S., Bohnert, K. R., Straughn, A. R., Xiong, G., Hindi, S. M., & Kumar, A. (2019). PERK regulates skeletal muscle mass and contractile function in adult mice. FASEB Journal: Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 33(2), 1946-1962.
- Bohnert, K. R., McMillan, J. D., & Kumar, A. (2018). Emerging roles of ER stress and unfolded protein response pathways in skeletal muscle health and disease. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 233(1), 67-78.
- Gallot, Y. S., Straughn, A. R., Bohnert, K. R., Xiong, G., Hindi, S. M., & Kumar, A. (2018). MyD88 is required for satellite cell-mediated myofiber regeneration in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Human Molecular Genetics, 27(19), 3449-3463.
- Hindi, S. M., Sato, S., Xiong, G., Bohnert, K. R., Gibb, A. A., Gallot, Y. S., McMillan, J. D., Hill, B. G., Uchida, S., & Kumar, A. (2018). TAK1 regulates skeletal muscle mass and mitochondrial function. JCI Insight, 3(3), e98441.
- Gallot, Y. S., McMillan, J. D., Xiong, G., Bohnert, K. R., Straughn, A. R., Hill, B. G., & Kumar, A. (2017). Distinct roles of TRAF6 and TAK1 in the regulation of adipocyte survival, thermogenesis program, and high-fat diet-induced obesity. Oncotarget, 8(68), 112565-112583.
- Xiong, G., Hindi, S. M., Mann, A. K., Gallot, Y. S., Bohnert, K. R., Cavener, D. R., Whittemore, S. R., & Kumar, A. (2017). The PERK arm of the unfolded protein response regulates satellite cell-mediated skeletal muscle regeneration. eLife, 6, e22871.
- Bohnert, K. R., Gallot, Y. S., Sato, S., Xiong, G., Hindi, S. M., & Kumar, A. (2016). Inhibition of ER stress and unfolding protein response pathways causes skeletal muscle wasting during cancer cachexia. FASEB Journal: Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 30(9), 3053-3068.