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Alexander Sparrow

BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

My research focuses on the changes in calcium handling and contractility that occur in inherited cardiomyopathies. I study mutations in thin filament proteins that cause hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathy. My work has developed myofilament specific genetically encoded calcium sensors for the study of subcellular calcium dynamics in cardiomyocytes expressing HCM and DCM mutations.

My current research is on the development of novel synthesised analogues of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which decrease calcium sensitivity in cardiomyocytes. The aim of which is to provide a safe and effective treatment for patients with HCM.

I also work on developing human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes as a cellular model when investigating inherited cardiomyopathies. Current induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes more closely resemble embryonic rather than adult cardiomyocytes. I am developing maturation protocols to produce an improved human cellular model to study inherited cardiomyopathies.

I completed my PhD at the University of Nottingham in developmental biology where I studied the role of LIM kinase and metanephric mesenchymal cell migration in the developing kidney.