Investigation of pharmacological modulators of TASK-1 K+ channels on electrophysiology of the atrioventricular node
Professor Jules Hancox and his team at the University of Bristol are studying small proteins that control a small region of the heart called the atrioventricular node, or AVN, to better understand the electrics of the heart muscle. The AVN acts as an electrical junction, co-ordinating the electrical activity between the upper and lower chambers of the heart - the atria and ventricles, enabling the heart to pump blood around the body effectively. It can also take over as the pacemaker in the heart should the normal pacemaker of the heart fail. Special proteins called ion channels in heart cell membranes are responsible for generating electrical activity. One of these ion channels is called TASK-1 and is present in the AVN, but we don’t understand how it controls the electrical activity of this region. In this project, Professor Hancox will work out how TASK-1 influences AVN activity. He will measure and compare electrical activity in AVN cells and tissue from mice that have, or are deficient in, TASK-1 ion channels. He will also find out how activating or blocking TASK-1 channels affects the AVN. This research will reveal more about the AVN in the heart and the role TASK-1 channels have in controlling it.
Project details
| Grant amount | £266,142 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 February 2017 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/16/71/32301 |
| Status | In Progress |
