Heterogeneous sinoatrial node of rabbit heart-molecular and electrical mapping and biophysical reconstruction

Electrophysiology and immunocytochemistry have been used to map the detailed properties of cells cross the pacemaker of the heart, the sinoatrial node. The electrical activities and expressions of various proteins across the sinoatrial node change smoothly with distance and so can be modelled by a gradient in parameter values. Experimental data have been integrated into computational models of the SA node at cellular and tissue levels and mechanisms underlying initiation and propagation of pacemaker activity of the heart identified.