The ultimate signal in excitable cells is a change in intracellular Ca2+, which mediates the effect of cellular electricity. Thus, it is not surprising that internal calcium imparts complex feedback regulation on multiple signaling steps, including direct modulation of various ion channels. The Pitt lab focuses on understanding the integrated Ca2+ signals, particularly how Ca2+ controls ion channel function and the resultant diseases when these regulatory mechanisms are perturbed. Our current areas of interest include mechanisms of channel function and dysfunction in cardiac arrhythmias, epilepsy, development, and diabetes. Our approaches include electrophysiology, biochemistry, structural biology and animal models of disease.
