Michelle Collins, PhD – Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan — CSB Seminar Series
When
Event Type
CSB Seminar Series
Friday, September 18th @ 11:00 am
SPEAKER: Michelle Collins, PhD – Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan
TITLE: Harnessing root microbiomes to improve plant health and resilience
ABSTRACT:
The Collins lab studies the molecular, genetic, and physiological mechanisms that shape cardiac structure and function across the lifespan. By integrating developmental biology, genomics, and functional model systems, our current projects investigate how these mechanisms contribute to arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies. We are particularly interested in how the transcription factor PITX2C regulates atrial chamber morphogenesis and influences susceptibility to atrial fibrillation through effects on cardiac structure, metabolism, and redox homeostasis.
In this seminar, I will present our recent findings on atrial wall formation, along with our work linking metabolic remodeling, oxidative stress, and cardiac rhythm. I will also discuss our efforts to identify novel genetic variants underlying pediatric and adult cardiovascular disorders, and our goals of developing experimental models to assess the functional consequences of variants of uncertain significance. Together, these projects aim to uncover the genetic and cellular mechanisms linking cardiac development and disease, offering new insight into arrhythmia pathogenesis and the genetic basis of heart disease.
HOST: Felix Gunawan
LOCATION: Cell and Systems Biology, 25 Harbord Street, RW432
LIVESTREAM LINK: https://csb.utoronto.ca/live-stream/