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Christopher A. Ward PhD
 Christopher A. Ward
Position(s)
Associate Professor
Contact Info

Faculty Bio

Myocardial electrophysiology and reactive oxygen species My research focuses on the physiological and pathophysiological processes that regulate cardiac function. Using single ventricular myocytes isolated from mouse and rat hearts, we use techniques to measure the electrophysiology (by patch clamp) of various ionic currents, unloaded cell shortening as a measure of contractile performance, and high speed fluorescence imaging. Current research projects include: 1) effects of oxidants on the heart; 2) excitation-contraction coupling; 3) cardiac hypertrophy; 4) role of cardiac Na channels.

Research Interests

The primary focus of my lab is to study how ion channels regulate the function (both electrical and mechanical) of cardiac myocytes under both normal conditions and disease states.