The sino-atrial node of the heart is comprised of extremely important tissue since it is this node which is responsible for the heart rate. Dr. John W. Clark is studying the pacemaker role of the sino-atrial node and the autonomic nerves which control this function and in the process he is using his engineering background to try to put this function into a mathematical model. Dr. Clark will incorporate into his model the various cell functions, both intracellular and extracellular. This work is important in itself because of the biological structure upon which it concentrates. However, this work is ground breaking since it attempts to quantify another biological system. This work will represent a substantial advance in our understanding of the operation and modulation of the sino-atrial node cells of the heart.
