Wayne Chen

Research in my laboratory is directed towards understanding the structure/function relationships and the roles of store calcium release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyRs, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, IP3Rs) in cardiac and neuronal functions and dysfunctions. In particular, we are interested in the roles of RyRs and IP3Rs in cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, sudden cardiac death, learning and memory, pain, ataxia, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, autism, and bipolar disorder. We employ a variety of cutting-edge techniques and platforms, such as site-directed mutagenesis, CRISPR gene targeting, intact heart imaging, heart slice imaging, telemetric and intracardiac ECG recordings, confocal and multiphoton imaging, in vivo brain imaging, brain slice imaging, patch-clamp recordings of cardiac cells and neurons, single channel recordings, FRET imaging, super-resolution imaging, etc. We have generated a number of unique and novel mouse models for investigating the disease mechanisms and treatments of RyR- and IP3R-related disorders at the molecular, cellular, and animal levels.

Administrative Assistant

Sarah Curtis
spcurtis@ucalgary.ca
403-220-3757