Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics
Calcium transients in cardiac myocytes
Isolated cardiomyocytes in culture were examined using confocal microscopy and a calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye. During excitation-contraction coupling, stimulation of the myocyte will initiate an increase in cytoplasmic calcium, which will, in turn, trigger a contraction. In the figure, a wave of increased calcium can be seen to traverse the myocyte from left to right.The figure was kindly provided by Dr. Narine Sarvazyan.