Abnormal Ca2+ signaling and myocardial arrhythmias

My group specializes in live cell confocal imaging of heart and skeletal muscle cells. Recent major awards from the British Heart Foundation and the Wellcome Trust have allowed us to upgrade and develop our existing imaging facilities, providing an excellent opportunity for cutting edge PhD training in an internationally competitive research environment. This PhD research project will complement ongoing activities addressing changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ regulation (subcellular Ca2+ sparks and waves) and the role of these events in the generation of ventricular arrhythmias. Part of the project will address emerging therapeutic approaches to preventing Ca2+ dependent arrhythmias using drugs that target the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channel (RyR2).