The proposed research is designed to identify the mechanisms that can accelerate loss of muscle size, strength and physical function in type 2 diabetes and with hospitalization in older persons. About ⅓ of older Americans have type 2 diabetes, and about ⅓ of the hospitalizations in the USA involve persons older than 65 year of age. The proposed research is relevant to the part of NIH's mission that pertains to development of the fundamental knowledge that will improve health and reduce the burdens of disability, because this work will provide the fundamental evidence to identify new targets for the development of innovative treatments to slow down muscle loss and disability in our aging society.