-
Research Interests
The Palmer Lab studies the mechanisms underlying cardiac muscle contraction and relaxation. Our research focuses on myofilament function, calcium sensitivity, force production, and myosin crossbridge kinetics to better understand how cardiac muscle function is altered in disease and by therapeutic interventions.
Myofilament Force Production and Calcium Sensitivity
The experimental model system is demembranated mammalian myocardium, i.e., not excitable, that is ~120 um in diameter and 1 mm long. Sarcomere length can be visualized and used to establish starting muscle length, and isometric tension is recorded over multiple calcium concentrations (tension-pCa relationship). The result indicates the maximum force per cross-sectional area of the muscle sample and the calcium sensitivity of the myofilaments.
Myosin Crossbridge Kinetics
Myosin crossbridge kinetics can be quantified in demembranated myocardium using sinusoidal analysis and a force-response to a quick stretch. Myosin crossbridge detachment rate and rates of force decline and redevelopment can be measured and used to distinguish the effects of disease, sex, intervention or gene therapy.
