The project will focus on the atrioventricular node, the specialised region of the heart that controls electrical communication between the atria and ventricles. AV node dysfunction is common in heart failure and older adults, but the human disease mechanisms remain poorly understood. For the first time, this project will investigate the underlying changes taking place.

The student will use human cardiac conduction system tissues, advanced electrophysiological and molecular techniques and complementary mouse models to investigate molecular and functional mechanisms of AV node disease. All workflows are already established in the D’Souza laboratory, providing an excellent foundation for a focused 3-year PhD.

The student will receive training in human cardiac tissue handling, imaging, mouse models and functional studies in living cardiac slices. They will join the Cardiac Pacemaking and Conduction Laboratory within the National Heart and Lung Institute, a highly collaborative environment with excellent opportunities for scientific and professional development.

The project will focus on the atrioventricular node, the specialised region of the heart that controls electrical communication between the atria and ventricles. AV node dysfunction is common in heart failure and older adults, but the human disease mechanisms remain poorly understood. For the first time, this project will investigate the underlying changes taking place.

The student will use human cardiac conduction system tissues, advanced electrophysiological and molecular techniques and complementary mouse models to investigate molecular and functional mechanisms of AV node disease. All workflows are already established in the D’Souza laboratory, providing an excellent foundation for a focused 3-year PhD.

The student will receive training in human cardiac tissue handling, imaging, mouse models and functional studies in living cardiac slices. They will join the Cardiac Pacemaking and Conduction Laboratory within the National Heart and Lung Institute, a highly collaborative environment with excellent opportunities for scientific and professional development.