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We investigate sub-cellular anatomy, especially spatial localisation of organelles, and the role of lysosome mediated calcium signalling in normo- and patho-physiology. Some of the techniques employed in our research include confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, MRI and optogenetics and high-speed optical mapping.

Excitable media are spatially distributed systems which have the ability to propagate signals without damping. A variety of cardiac arrhythmias have been attributed to formation of large scale patterns of excitation such as the formation and break up of spiral waves. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, for which pharmacologic approaches for rate or rhythm control remain suboptimal. Unravelling the onset and maintenance of atrial arrhythmias depends on details such as geometry, electrical state, anisotropic cellular and subcellular structures.

Research has suggested an important role for calcium-dysregulation in AF. To improve our mechanistic understanding, we propose a multi-disciplinary approach, ranging from conventional electrophysiology to, state-of-the-art tissue engineering and optogenetics, and development of novel high speed optical microscopy techniques. The results will allow a better understanding of the basic biological mechanisms of sub-cellular calcium signalling and the aetiology of AF directly relevant in the development of new treatment therapies.

Our team

Selected publications

News and Media

ITV News

1950's drug could help patients with heart disease

ScienceDaily

Researchers learn how to steer the heart with light

Outreach

Pint of Science

Total eclipse of the heart('s normal rhythm)

Medical Sciences News

Pharmacology Fellow awarded Churchill medallion

Related research themes