Alvarado Laboratory

The Alvarado Lab studies the mechanisms that control cardiac function. The main focus is on the regulation of calcium handling in the heart.

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EC Coupling

Excitation-contraction (EC) coupling is the process that converts electrical signals into cardiac contraction.

Ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) is the largest ion channel. It releases calcium from an intracellular store during EC coupling.

Mutations in RyR2 may lead to abnormal cardiac calcium handling and arrhythmia.