Tubular Heart

The shape of almost every cell in our body depends on a complex network of microtubules (shown here in yellow and green). This cellular scaffold also provides tracks for a vital transport network, ensuring that the cell’s molecular work force gets to its destination on time. Problems ‘on the tube’ can contribute to heart and circulatory disease and cancer, and researchers are discovering why. Cells in this heart-shaped cluster (visualised using confocal microscopy) have been engineered to produce a newly identified protein that hitches onto the tubes. The protein (seen in red in the nucleus, and yellow on the microtubules) stabilises the network and speeds up transport. Without it, animals develop muscular dystrophy and struggle to maintain a regular heartbeat. Studying microtubule networks will help heart researchers understand the intricate workings of blood vessel cells and how they keep our hearts healthy.

Written by Caroline Cross

Caroline Cross

Writer

Fascinated by the complexities of the human body, Caroline enjoys writing about biomedical research. She spent much of her research career peering down a microscope at cells and parasites, and is constantly amazed at their beauty.

Website

• Dipen Rajgor, Catherine Shanahan
• King's College London
• British Heart Foundation Reflections of Research 2012 Supporter Favourite