Effects of nitric oxide signalling on proton dynamics in the healthy and diseased heart
Heart failure reduces the pumping function of the heart, which can make even basic exercise almost impossible, disturb heart rhythm and shorten life expectancy. Researchers are trying to understand what controls the normal synchronised contraction of the heart so that new treatments can be developed if it is disrupted as a result of heart failure. Dr Pawel Swietach’s team from the University of Oxford is particularly interested in nitric oxide gas and a protein that regulates the pH levels (the level of acidity) inside heart cells. Both play an important part in regulating the heart’s normal function and rhythm. However, very little is known about how these two important regulators interact in the heart. The team will look at nitric oxide and pH in normal and diseased hearts to provide clues about how they interact to regulate heart function. The findings will be important for future heart disease studies and may one day help lead to new treatments.
Project details
| Grant amount | £203,724 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 February 2013 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/12/2/29324 |
| Status | Complete |
