ILS1
Dr Spyridon Zisimopoulos

Dr Spyridon Zisimopoulos

Associate Professor, Biomedical Sciences
Academic Office - 142
First Floor
Institute of Life Science 1
Singleton Campus
Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

Spyros is a British Heart Foundation Senior Research Fellow and Associate Professor with 20 years research experience in excitation-contraction coupling and calcium signalling. Spyros obtained a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Athens, Greece, and an MSc in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from King’s College London. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Wales College of Medicine for the characterisation of the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel complex. Spyros was based for several years in the Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff, with like-minded researchers (Tony Lai, Alan Williams, Chris George, Lowri Thomas) to acquire and expand his expertise in bioinformatics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysical single channel characterisation, fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Spyros’ independent career was kickstarted by a BHF Intermediate Research Fellowship in 2009 and was consolidated by a BHF Senior Research Fellowship in 2015. He has been in Swansea Medical School since 2017 and was appointed as an Associate Professor in 2020.  

Spyros’ main research is on the structure-function analysis of the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel and its role in arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. A particular ambition is the identification of novel anti-arrhythmic drugs that specifically target and stabilise ryanodine receptor function. 

Areas Of Expertise

  • Calcium signalling
  • Excitation-contraction coupling
  • Molecular mechanisms of disease
  • Protein-protein interactions
  • Calcium release channel activity

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Spyros has supervised several PGR students at both the MSc and PhD level. He is also actively contributing to teaching on the Applied Medical Sciences BSc programme. 

Research Award Highlights Collaborations