Leighton Izu, Ph.D.

Research/Academic Interests

1. Effect of spatial distribution of molecules on cellular dynamics. We are particularly interested in how subtle spatial redistribution of ryanodine receptors, brought on by changes in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, alters the stability of the Ca2+ control system. An understanding of the interaction of the mechanical and Ca2+ control systems might provide insight into why patients with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are at a high risk of sudden cardiac death.

2. Inverse methods. Drugs or mutations can affect many cellular subsystems. We are using inverse methods to identify the cellular targets of these drugs or mutations. Once identified, targeted experiments can be carried out to test whether the putative targets are in fact affected by the drug or mutation directly or indirectly.