Molecular Physiology

The main focus of the Molecular Physiology Group is in cellular and molecular physiology of the heart muscle cells. We are especially interested in mechanisms which regulate heart muscle cells in conditions where the properties and function of these cells are dramatically changed, such as during embryonic organogenesis and during development of heart failure. We use in vivo animal models for pressure overload-induced heart failure and ischemic heart failure, ex vivo organ models, such as Langendorff heart perfusions, and several in vitro cell models to understand the processes inducing functional changes of the heart muscle cells. Viral gene transfer techniques, confocal imaging of living cells, electrophysiological methods, such as patch-clamp, and mathematical cell modelling are important approaches in studying these mechanisms further.Our ultimate goal is to better understand the processes controlling structural and functional properties of the heart muscle cells, and to pinpoint some of the mechanisms involved. Eventually, we hope to be able to control the properties of the heart muscle cells by novel therapeutic interventions.