Research Lecture at Nobel Forum
Free admission

Date: 13 October, kl. 16.30

Speaker: Michael J. Berridge, The Babraham Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

Title: “Inositol trisphosphate, calcium and Vitamin D signalling in health and disease”

ABSTRACT
Many cellular functions are regulated by calcium (Ca2+) signals that are generated by different signalling pathways. One of these is the inositol trisphosphate/calcium (InsP3/Ca2+) signalling pathway that operates through either primary or modulatory mechanisms. In its primary role, it generates the Ca2+ that acts directly to control many cellular processes. Its modulatory role occurs in excitable cells where it modulates the primary Ca2+ signal generated by the entry of Ca2+ through voltage-operated channels. In carrying out this modulatory role, the InsP3/Ca2+ signalling pathway induces subtle changes in the generation and function of the voltage-dependent primary Ca2+ signal. Changes in the nature of both the primary and modulatory roles of InsP3/Ca2+ signalling are a contributory factor responsible for the onset of many human pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Many of these diseases can be prevented by Vitamin D that acts to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis.

Host: Per-Olof Berggren email: per-olof.berggren@ki.se
Nobel Office: Tatiana Goriatcheva, email:tatiana.goriatcheva@nobel.se