Heart @hack

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a silent killer! The rugby player Danny Jones died after collapsing on the pitch during a match, not realising he was suffering from this heart condition. Nearly 1 in 500 people have a mutation in their genes, meaning they could also be at risk! With the help of new advances in microscopy (including super-resolution!), the effect these genetic mutations have on the heart can be better understood. Michelle will talk about how the heart works, how inherited mutations affect its ability to work properly, and even perform a demo involving a laser and a gin and tonic!

Everyone has heard of an MRI scan, but do you know how one works? Or how they can be used to detect heart attacks? In the UK heart attacks cause one death every eight minutes! Early and accurate diagnosis can lead to better treatment and improve prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate technique to image the heart in detail and to assess how restriction in blood supply can affect its function. Dr Dall’Armellina works both as a Cardiologist with patients at Leeds General Infirmary and as a researcher at the Leeds Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM).