Subcellular Ca2+ signalling microdomains regulating cardiomyocyte growth and function

This project focuses on the mechanism of the signaling mediator calcium (Ca2+). Ca2+ signaling is an important factor in controlling the heart function. It provides the link between the electrical signals and the heart pumping. Increasing intracellular Ca2+ allows the cardiomyocytes to contract which drives the pumping of the heart. Ca2+ is also involved in many other functionalities for the cardiomyocytes by regulating metabolism and gene expression for cellular adaptation. It has been found that even small alterations in this signaling mechanism can have major consequences on the functionality and phenotype of the cardiomyocytes. This project which is in collaboration with the University of Melbourne aims at identifying the specific mechanisms of Ca2+ for regulating growth, differentiation and contraction. In particular, it is concerned with how Ca2+ signals in different cellular sub-compartments are involved in the regulation of contraction versus growth, differentiation and gene expression. The experimental agents may be ranging from the molecular, cellular to the organ-level, with primary and induced pluripotent cardiomyocytes as well as animal models. The approach could also be wide-ranging from single cell imaging, in vivo imaging, genetically encoded Ca2+ reporters, super resolution microscopy, in addition to mathematical modelling and AI which would mostly be on the side of the University of Melbourne.