Subtasks:

• Study molecular composition and subcellular localization of native HCN.
  • Contribution:
    • Investigate interrelationship among pacemaker mechanisms, in physiological and pathological conditions.
  • Status: in progress
  • Tangible Outcome:
    • Characterize molecular distribution and subcellular localization of HCN isoforms(mo.12);
    • Identify the relationship among pacemaker mechanisms (mo.24); and
    • Use structured cultures of pacemaker/myocytic cells to ii) analyse and model integrated pacemaker mechanisms (mo.36).
• Generate a biological pacemaker.
  • Status: in progress
  • Tangible Outcome:
    • Identify strategies for cell engineering aimed at creating a biological pacemaker (mo.36).
• Characterize cardiac channelopathies linked to mutations of the pacemaker channel.
  • Status: in progress
  • Tangible Outcome:
    • Identify possible mutations of HCN related to human rhythm disturbances, their electrophysiological characterization, and link to channelopathies (mo.36).