The sarcomere is the functional unit of all striated muscles including heart muscle. It represents one of the most complex subcellular assemblies in biology. It is now possible via genetic engineering technology to systematically manipulate the individual components of this multimeric contractile machine.
Experimental cardiac gene therapy involves the direct injection of viruses into the heart in vivo. Alternatively, the vectors can be delivered via the coronary system.
Our lab directly determines the force generation capacity of single cardiac myocytes in this assay.
Three-dimensional image of adenovirus capsomere. Our lab uses recombinant adenovirus to deliver with high efficiency new genetic material to cardiac muscle cells.