Description of CVI Expertise

Director, Molecular Arrhythmia Research

CVI Program Unit(s):
Channel Biology / Electrophysiology

CVI Research Description:
The research in our laboratory is focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmogenesis and conduction disease. We are using genetically engineered mouse models of human arrhythmogenic disorders to investigate arrhythmia mechanisms at the level of the whole heart, the cardiomyocyte and molecule. This integrative approach is accomplished by using the murine in vivo electrophysiology technique in combination with the whole-cell patch clamp technique and employing standard molecular and biochemical approaches.

Specifically, the lab has several areas of interest with active research projects investigating:

1. The role of cell adhesion molecules in gap junction stabilization and expression in the setting of cardiomyopathy.

2. The contribution of free radicals to myocardial excitability and paroxsymal atrial fibrillation.

3. The role and contribution of HDACs to conduction system disease and atrial arrythmogenesis.

4. The contribution of late sodium currents to arrhythmogenesis.