Summary
The ability of cells to detect viral infection and cell damage is essential for the body’s first-line immune defense and for protecting human health. Foreign or misplaced genetic material, such as viral DNA or RNA or a cell’s own nucleic acids appearing in the wrong part of a cell, serves as an important danger signal that alerts cells to these threats. This project asks a fundamental question: can electrically active cells, such as heart cells, use electrical signals to detect and respond to such danger signals? To address this question, the project will study how misplaced DNA and RNA inside
