Movies

This section contains experimental movies of single cells: Contracting cells and Calcium waves in cells

Most cardiac cells are approximately cylindrical, with a length of around 100 microns and diameter of 10-15 microns.
Each cell connects to roughly 8-9 neighboring cells, with the sites of these connections preferentially located at the ends of the long axis.
Cells connected at their ends form long cardiac fibers that wrap around the heart and together generate sufficient contractile force to pump blood.
Calcium concentrations inside the cell respond to electrical stimulation and initiate the mechanics of contraction.

Cardiac cells (size ~ 10x100 microns)

	Contracting ventricular cell Format: gif movie(367K)

	Contracting ventricular cell Format: gif movie(397K)

	Contracting ventricular cell Format: gif movie(674K)

Calcium imaging in cardiac cells

Intracellular calcium waves shown using fluo-4 dye (which fluoresces in proportion to the calcium concentration) and confocal microscopy

	Propagating calcium wave eliciting contraction of a ventricular cell Format: gif movie(357K)

	Propagating calcium wave eliciting contraction of a ventricular cell Format: gif movie(138K)

	Propagating calcium waves from multiple sites Format: gif movie(133K)

	Propagating calcium wave from one site Format: gif movie(430K)

	Propagating calcium waves Format: gif movie(324K)

	Multiple calcium sparks Format: gif movie(292K)