Lectures and seminars

Karolinska Research Lectures: Michael J. Berridge

2016-10-1316:30 Nobel Forum, Karolinska Institutet Nobels väg 1, StockholmCampus Solna

Karolinska Research Lectures at Nobel Forum: Michael J. Berridge. Title: “Inositol trisphosphate, calcium and Vitamin D signalling in health and disease”.

Free admission.


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.