14:00
Rodolphe Fischmeister: “Control of cAMP signaling and excitation-contraction coupling by phosphodiesterase type 4 in normal and diseased heart”
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris
Rodolphe Fischmeister is a leading expert in the field of cyclic nucleotide signalling in the heart. Beta-adrenergic receptors enhance cardiac contractility by increasing cyclic AMP levels and activating PKA, which increases Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release via phosphorylation of L-type Ca²⁺ channels and ryanodine receptor 2. Compartmentation of the second messenger cyclic AMP is required for adequate processing and targeting of information generated by receptors at the cell membrane, and Rodolphe Fischmeister will address the role of the different cAMP-phosphodiesterases in this process.
15:00
Adrian J. Hobbs: “Therapeutic potential of modulating natriuretic peptides in pulmonary hypertension and fibrosis”
Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry
Pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis are debilitating diseases with few treatment options and very poor prognoses. Natriuretic peptides are a hormone family that exert a number of beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system. Prof. Hobbs’ lab has focused on dissecting a role for natriuretic peptides in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and fibrosis, and the therapeutic potential of pharmacologically manipulating these peptides in such disorders.