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In Person Seminar: When Your Heart Skips More Than a Beat: Connexin Hemichannels in Cardiac Pathology

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Jorge Contreras, Ph.D.

Jorge Contreras, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology
UC Davis School of Medicine

Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar: When Your Heart Skips More Than a Beat: Connexin Hemichannels in Cardiac Pathology

Oct. 8, 2021 

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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About this Seminar

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most abundant gap junction channel-forming isoform in cardiac ventricles. In multiple cardiac pathologies, Cx43 is found to be remodeled to the lateralized side of interacted discs of unhealthy cardiomyocytes. We recently demonstrated that these remodeled Cx43 proteins function as non-junctional channels (hemichannels). The opening of remodeled Cx43 hemichannels mediates cardiac stress-induced arrhythmias and ventricle infarction. Dr. Contreras and his lab propose that Cx43 hemichannels are an important therapeutic target for the prevention of arrhythmogenic phenotypes displayed in many cardiovascular pathologies.

Additional Details

This is a free event hosted by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and co-sponsored by the institute's Center for Vascular and Heart Research. The Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar Series, which runs annually from September to May, has featured leading biomedical researchers from throughout the country since the program began in 2012. The lectures are also open to all members of the Virginia Tech community including graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, and staff, as well as the public.

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