How calcium and mitochondria in heart cells drive some abnormal heart rhythms
Role of SR-mitochondria interplay in calcium-dependent arrhythmias
This project looks at whether interactions between calcium release and mitochondria in heart cells cause abnormal heart rhythms that affect people with inherited or other arrhythmias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11250998 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will use cell and animal models that mimic inherited arrhythmias like CPVT and other heart diseases to see how calcium leaks from storage sites in heart cells interact with mitochondria. They will measure calcium movement, mitochondrial uptake, and release of reactive oxygen species while manipulating proteins that control these processes. The team aims to explain why the same calcium leak can cause pure arrhythmias in some settings but cell damage in others. Findings will guide whether targeting mitochondrial calcium handling could prevent dangerous heart rhythms or limit heart-cell injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with genetic arrhythmias such as CPVT or those with calcium-related arrhythmias or heart disease are the patient groups most likely to benefit from these findings.
Not a fit: Patients whose rhythm problems are due to structural heart defects, non–calcium-driven conduction disorders, or unrelated causes may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce dangerous arrhythmias by targeting how mitochondria handle calcium in heart cells.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown both protective and harmful roles for mitochondrial calcium uptake in different disease models, so this work builds on those mixed findings to resolve why outcomes differ.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Bin — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Liu, Bin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.