In vivo Mouse Cardiac Electrophysiology Recording System

The experimental goal is to perform intracardiac programmed electrical stimulation and signal recording to assess cardiac conduction system function and arrhythmia susceptibility in engineered mouse models compared to gender match control litter mates. Such assessment allows one to determine the contribution of specific gene products to cardiac conduction system function and cardiac electrical homeostasis and further define arrhythmia and sudden death mechanisms.

To accomplish these experiments several key intermediate endpoints must be met: 1. physiologic temperature homeostasis 2. Effective and efficient anesthetic delivery 3. Reliable surface ECG signal and intracardiac signal recording. A custom data acquisition system is being developed to acquire all biophysical signals while optimizing for best signal quality.

A summer project will focus on utilizing the system while laboratory experiments are being performed and assisting the researcher with any experimental activity.  Some post-processing algorithms may need to be developed to improve signal quality.

The BESIP student should have an interest in learning about signal processing techniques, data acquisition systems.  The intern will gain valuable hands-on experience while working in a laboratory setting and how engineers interact with scientists to achieve the desired research goals.

Levin lab: Ongoing experiments in the laboratory are dedicated to monitoring ECG and intracardial electrical signals while stimulating the heart to determine cardiac function and arrhythmia susceptibility.

Pursley lab: Provides electrical, computer, and software engineering expertise to NIH projects that require in-house technology development. Collaborations involve advanced signal transduction and data acquisition; real-time signal processing, control and monitoring systems, and rapid prototype development. Collaborations result in the design of first-of-a-kind biomedical/ clinical research systems, instrumentation, and methodologies.