Modelling the Cellular Cardiac-Neural Axis in the control of Myocardial Excitability

The ability of the heart to pump blood effectively, and efficiently, is contingent upon its ability to regulate the electro-mechanic properties which produce normal contraction. In patients suffering from cardiac pathology, deregulation of this process - known as cardiac excitability - has proved a strong predictor of disease mortality.

Research has demonstrated the important role of biochemical messengers in the distribution of signals necessary for regulating cardiac excitability. Employing advanced computational models and new data, this BBSRC project aims to investigate this process of intercellular communication and, thereby, understand an essential element of healthy cardiac function.