Invertebrate Electrophysiology
A key goal of this project is to create a coupled model of cardiac mechanics and electrophysiology. Although realistic computer models of cardiac muscle mechanics, fluid mechanics, and electrophysiology have been available for years, to date, most simulations of the heart have considered isolated aspects of adult cardiac function such as muscle mechanics or tissue electrophysiology. In the actual heart, these functions are coupled: The timing of the myocardial contractions is controlled and the contraction of the myocardial cells move the intracardial blood. Substantially less modeling work is available on the electrophysiology, muscle mechanics, and fluid mechanics of the embryonic heart. In this project, an integrated embryonic heart model will be developed to address a number of issues related to electro-mechanical coupling during development. For example, simulations and experiments with physical models will be used to clarify the nature of the pumping mechanism employed when the heart tube first forms.