Visualizing the contribution of microtubules and stretch-activated channels to cardiac arrhythmias

The heart is a complex organ that pumps the equivalent of an Olympic-sized swimming pool of blood to the body each day. To accomplish this incredible feet, millions of cells must work together in a coordinated manner, enabled by tight connections between their electrical and mechanical activity. In cardiac diseases these connections are disturbed, which can lead to deadly changes in the heart’s electrical activity, known as arrhythmias. Despite the clear link between the heart’s mechanical state and deadly arrhythmias, we do not have a good understanding of its importance, or the mechanisms involved. The goal of my research is to understand the importance of the heart’s mechanical sensitivity in cardiac arrhythmias. This will involve experiments in isolated whole hearts and advanced imaging techniques to measure cellular electrical activity and calcium cycling, combined with pharmacological interventions to determine the mechano-sensitive factors involved. Ultimately, my work will provide information critical for developing new treatments for the prevention of deadly cardiac arrhythmias related to the mechanical sensitivity of the heart.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alex Quinn

Student:

Partner:

University of California, Davis

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Biotechnology; Pharmaceuticals

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: